International Research Reveals Accelerating Permafrost Thaw Across Arctic, Antarctic, and Mountain Regions
An international team of researchers has identified an accelerating degradation of permafrost across the Arctic, Antarctic, and high-mountain regions. This conclusion is based on over two decades of field observations from 156 monitoring sites globally. The study, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, indicates that the active layer—the ground's uppermost section that thaws in summer and refreezes in winter—is deepening at an increased rate. Specifically, 55% of Arctic sites, 38% of Antarctic sites, and over 90% of monitored mountain sites are experiencing a deeper thaw. This research represents the first global assessment of long-term active layer monitoring data, involving field teams from more than 20 countries. University of Victoria (UVic) economist Felix Pretis contributed statistical analysis, linking observed thaw to temperature and precipitation, and distinguishing long-term climate-driven changes from local conditions. 
