Speleothems Reveal 500,000-Year History of Siberian Permafrost

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Vaks, A., Gutareva, O. S., Breitenbach, S. F. M., Avirmed, E., Mason, A. J., Thomas, A. L., Osinzev, A. V., Kononov, A. M., Henderson, G. M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2013
• Subjects: permafrost; Siberia
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1228729; https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.1228729

Permafrost Thaw Predictions Permafrost contains twice as much carbon as the atmosphere which could have serious consequences if it were to be released by widespread thawing. Vaks et al. (p. 183 , published online 21 February) present a 450,000 year-long record of speleothem growth at selected locations in Siberia, which traces changes in the extent of permafrost over that time period. The authors conclude that conditions only slightly warmer than those of today would cause widespread thawing of continuous permafrost as far north as 60°N.