Scientists develop methods to assess permafrost state
© RIA Novosti. Vladimir Baranov

Scientists develop methods to assess permafrost state

Researchers at the Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics (IPGG) of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have developed methods to quickly determine the current state of permafrost and to assess the impact of human activities on it, the TASS news agency reported. Alexei Fage, head of the IPGG field crew, noted that the methods will help scientists to better forecast climate changes on Earth.

"The common view that our station (Island Samoilovsky, located at the mouth of the Lena River) has no impact on permafrost is not quite correct. As we noticed last year, thermal emission from diesel generators leads to a small degradation of permafrost. The method allows us to determine the extent of the thaw," Mr. Fage pointed out.

He said that thawing permafrost releases a significant amount of greenhouse gases. "If we are able to better predict the location of thawing areas, our models of climate change on the planet will become more accurate," he said.

To study permafrost, researchers use the frequency electromagnetic sounding method, which enables one to quickly collect data.