Story perspectives

Thawing permafrost could release 1,500 gigatons carbon

8/20/2026

Summary

Permafrost Releases Carbon

Permafrost across Russia, Canada, Alaska and parts of Europe could release 1,500 gigatons carbon as it thaws.
The thawed ground spans about 20 million sq km, roughly five times the EU’s area.
Microbes decompose ancient plants in thawed permafrost, emitting carbon dioxide and methane.
Heatwaves and wildfires accelerate thaw in Siberia and Canada, says Professor Gustaf Hugelius (Stockholm University).
Scientists warn that cutting emissions could preserve 4 million sq km per degree, limiting future greenhouse-gas release.

Summary

Kandersteg Faces Landslide

Kandersteg, a Swiss village of 1,300 residents, faces a potential landslide from the Spitze Stein formation.
Professor Markus Stoffel of the University of Geneva links the instability to melting permafrost and glacier changes.
In May 2025, a massive landslide devastated the Lötschental valley and forced Blatten’s evacuation.
Residents Brigitte Jüni and Rudolf Isler say authorities have taken precautionary measures and they feel little fear.

Summary

UNM Builds Model

UNM team, funded by Sandia-University Partnership, is building a reactive transport model for shallow groundwater flow in thawing permafrost.
Researchers used a motorized SIPRE corer to drill 1-meter cores, accessing soil-groundwater interfaces.
They analyzed water samples from the Kuparuk, Atigun, and Sagavanirktok rivers with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Oxidation of pyrite in thawed soils may generate sulfuric acid, lowering groundwater pH and threatening Arctic ecosystems.

1 of 3

Permafrost Releases Carbon

Permafrost across Russia, Canada, Alaska and parts of Europe could release 1,500 gigatons carbon as it thaws.
The thawed ground spans about 20 million sq km, roughly five times the EU’s area.
Microbes decompose ancient plants in thawed permafrost, emitting carbon dioxide and methane.
Heatwaves and wildfires accelerate thaw in Siberia and Canada, says Professor Gustaf Hugelius (Stockholm University).
Scientists warn that cutting emissions could preserve 4 million sq km per degree, limiting future greenhouse-gas release.

1 / 3