Lecture to highlight the effects of thawing permafrost
For many years, scientists have been tracking the thaw of permafrost throughout the Arctic. Since permafrost with the highest ice content is usually found closer to the surface, where our structures are, Alaskans and other arctic communities face major changes in the future if the degradation continues. Ecosystems, buildings, roads and pipelines will likely lose their stability as the ground beneath them shifts.
On Feb. 1 at 7 p.m., Vladimir Romanovsky will discuss current data on permafrost and the changes that will likely result from thawing. Romanovsky, professor of geophysics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, will present “Thawing Permafrost: What Does it Mean for the Arctic?” in the Westmark Gold Room. The lecture is the third installment in the Fairbanks portion of 2011 Science for Alaska Lecture Series.
Science for Alaska is sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the UAF Geophysical Institute and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. The series runs on Tuesdays through Feb. 22, 2011 and is free to the public.
Hands-on activities for all ages begin at 6 p.m. inside the Gold Room. Families are welcome.
ON THE WEB: http://www.scienceforalaska.com
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Stevie Seibert, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, 907-474-5823, stevie.seibert@gi.alaska.edu
Vladimir Romanovsky, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, 907-474-7459, veromanovsky@alaska.edu
Marmian Grimes, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 907-474-7902, marmian.grimes@alaska.edu
