Permafrost
Definition
Permafrost refers to permanently frozen ground consisting of soil, rock, or sediment that remains below 0°C (32°F) for at least two consecutive years. It is found mainly in polar regions but also exists in some high-altitude areas.
Analogy
Picture permafrost as a giant freezer storing the Earth's history. Just like how food remains preserved in a freezer, permafrost preserves ancient plant and animal remains, as well as carbon that has been locked away for thousands of years.
Related terms
Thermokarst: Landscapes formed by the thawing of ice-rich permafrost, resulting in uneven terrain and the formation of lakes or depressions.
Methane Hydrates: Solid compounds made up of methane molecules trapped within a lattice-like structure of water molecules. They are found in vast quantities beneath permafrost and ocean sediments.
Cryosphere: The frozen parts of the Earth's surface, including snow, ice caps, glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost.
"Permafrost" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (1)
- Which biome has extremely cold temperatures, a short growing season, and permafrost?
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