thermokarst

Thermokarst refers to the landscape features formed when ice-rich permafrost thaws due to warming temperatures. As the ice melts, the ground collapses and sinks, creating irregular pits, troughs, and uneven terrain. These features can lead to the development of lakes, wetlands, and depressions, dramatically altering the local environment. Thermokarst processes are significant indicators of climate change in polar and Arctic regions and can impact ecosystems, infrastructure, and carbon release from frozen soils. Essentially, thermokarst reflects the dynamic response of frozen ground to increasing global temperatures, reshaping landscapes over time.