Permafrost thawing

Permafrost is permanently frozen ground found in polar regions. Thawing occurs when rising temperatures melt this ice, which can release trapped greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. This process contributes to climate change, creating a feedback loop where warming leads to more thawing, further accelerating temperature increases. Thawing permafrost can also destabilize infrastructure, damage ecosystems, and release ancient pathogens. Overall, it poses significant risks to the environment and human activities in affected regions, highlighting the urgent need to address global warming.