Eyes on Earth Episode 20 - Mapping Alaska's Permafrost
Eyes on Earth
Eyes on Earth is a podcast on remote sensing, Earth observation, land change and science, brought to you by the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. In this episode, we hear about efforts to map near surface permafrost across Alaska and why such efforts are important.
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Summary: The Arctic is changing at a more rapid rate than the rest of the planet. Some of the most significant changes are tied to the thawing of near-surface permafrost, the layers of frozen soil that contain vast stocks of stored carbon. Scientists at EROS have used remote sensing tools to map the extent of permafrost in Alaska, offering a baseline for further research as change continues to ripple through the state.
Guests: Bruce Wylie, Research Physical Scientist at the USGS EROS Center; Neal Pastick, scientist and contractor to the USGS EROS Center
Host: Steve Young
Producer: Brian Hauge
Release date: March 23, 2020
More on Remote Sensing and Permafrost:
- Distribution of near-surface permafrost in Alaska: Estimates of present and future conditions
- EROS Aids in Surveys of Greenhouse Gas-emitting Arctic Lakes
New Study Provides the First Comprehensive, Long-term Look at Alaska’s Changing Ecosystems