| Summary: | In the East-European Russian Arctic, in the basin of the Usa river (fig. 1) discontinuous permafrost is widespread and highly sensitive to climatic changes. The condition of the permafrost has an impact on and is influenced both by the natural environment and by human activities. Especiaily relevant at this moment is its impact on infrastructure (buildings, pipelines and (rail)roads), given the large-scale industrialization taking place in the area. Therefore, in January 1999 the INTAS-programme 'PERUSA' (PERmafrost in the USA-Basin) was launched, financed by the European Commission. The objective of this project is to study the distribution, characterization and dynamics of permafrost in the basin of the Usa river. At the Arctic Centre of the University of Groningen the effects of permafrost degradation on urban, industrial and transporration infrastructure in the area are studied.
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