First Published 1993

• Main Author: Isbn -"x/p
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1993
• Subjects: Lobel; permafrost
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.383.5772; http://www.arlis.org/docs/vol1/ICOP/45859964v1.pdf

> " x,. \ I ' reviewera, Preface AbQut one-fifth of the land area of the earth is underlain by perennially frozen ground, or permafrost. It affects many human activities, causing unique problems in the environment, ecoaystern, resource development and constructions in cold regions. Since permafrost is a thermal condition, it is very sensitive to changes in climate. Global warming could result in permafrost degradation, causing resultant ecological and socioeconomic conaequences. Thus, permafrost hasbecome more and more important in the development of polar and high altitude regions which occupy key positions in the &lobel system. It is necessary to give scientists and engineers an opportunity to meet regularly in order to discuss the stste of the art of science and technology in their fields, and to gain the impetus for further work, a3 well as to compare permafrost conditions with other regions of the world, particularly regions where only seasonal-ly frozen soils currently exist. The International Conferences on Permafrost are organized, to serve this purpose, The First International Conference on Perma- ' ' frost wa8 therefore held in the United States