Permafrost
May 17, 2023 12:35:55 #
Interesting developments with the permafrost. In northern Siberia and Alaska, the thawing of the permafrost is having strange effects. Large sink holes are opening up, but they're not sink holes. Methane that has been trapped for centuries is being released, and when it explodes, it leaves huge holes in the ground.
Throughout Alaska, hundreds of small, bubbling lakes are appearing as the permafrost thaws and the ground sinks. A pilot flying over a lake noticed all the bubbles, and it turned out to be methane from the distant past. They estimate that there are 1.3 trillion tons of methane trapped underground, as well as millions of tons of carbon dioxide that is "seeping" from the permafrost. "Seeping" is the term the scientists use. If only we could capture that and use it a fuel.
Roads and houses in northern Alaska are sinking as the ground sinks. Reconstruction and abandoning the area are the only two options.
Throughout Alaska, hundreds of small, bubbling lakes are appearing as the permafrost thaws and the ground sinks. A pilot flying over a lake noticed all the bubbles, and it turned out to be methane from the distant past. They estimate that there are 1.3 trillion tons of methane trapped underground, as well as millions of tons of carbon dioxide that is "seeping" from the permafrost. "Seeping" is the term the scientists use. If only we could capture that and use it a fuel.
Roads and houses in northern Alaska are sinking as the ground sinks. Reconstruction and abandoning the area are the only two options.
May 17, 2023 13:19:11 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Interesting developments with the permafrost. In ... (show quote)
Lived in Fairbanks back in '50s & '60s when it used to get colder than it does now. If you are there awhile you realise Alaska is basically one big swamp. Google up the Chena and Tanana River basins, see how they meander all over, huge. Flat ground, Fairbanks is almost dead center of Alaska, only 446 feet above sea level .Roads don't do well there especially blacktop that soaks up heat and makes frost heaves.
May 17, 2023 13:30:35 #
One Rude Dawg wrote:
Lived in Fairbanks back in '50s & '60s when it... (show quote)
Thanks. Interesting.
May 18, 2023 07:25:20 #
The methane gas actually comes from microbe farts resulting from eating the organic material from the melting permafrost.
May 18, 2023 08:10:30 #
May 18, 2023 08:50:07 #
Julian wrote:
The methane gas actually comes from microbe farts resulting from eating the organic material from the melting permafrost.
Right, and there have been quite a few microbes there over the past millennia.
May 18, 2023 08:56:54 #
May 18, 2023 09:13:36 #
One Rude Dawg wrote:
Lived in Fairbanks back in '50s & '60s when it... (show quote)
Agreed—however, you can’t appreciate frost heaves until you’ve lived in Alaska. What Rued Dawg means is when you are driving down the road and and the road surface drops six to eight feet almost instantly and then jumps back up 10 feet. The airborne experience is really a thrill. Also, a little point of information: The permafrost around the Deadhorse airport is 1200 feet deep. This is serious stuff!
May 18, 2023 09:13:48 #
mwoods222 wrote:
GREAT MOVIE "CHAMPIONS" WITH WOODY HARELDSON
Thanks.
May 18, 2023 09:28:14 #
ArcticTrails wrote:
Agreed—however, you can’t appreciate frost heaves until you’ve lived in Alaska. What Rued Dawg means is when you are driving down the road and and the road surface drops six to eight feet almost instantly and then jumps back up 10 feet. The airborne experience is really a thrill. Also, a little point of information: The permafrost around the Deadhorse airport is 1200 feet deep. This is serious stuff!
A few years ago, after several days of very hot weather, a section of a local highway lifted itself about two feet. That was weird.
May 18, 2023 09:55:14 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
jerryc41 wrote:
Interesting developments with the permafrost. In ... (show quote)
What is the source of ignition for the exploding methane? It doesn’t spontaneously combust, surely.
Stan
May 18, 2023 11:42:24 #
StanMac wrote:
What is the source of ignition for the exploding methane? It doesn’t spontaneously combust, surely.
Stan
Stan
The underground gremlins are smoking again.
I have no idea, but these holes are the result of explosions.
May 18, 2023 11:52:52 #
Harry0
Loc: Gardena, Cal
StanMac wrote:
What is the source of ignition for the exploding methane? It doesn’t spontaneously combust, surely.
Stan
Stan
Well, yeah.
Ever hear of paint, solvent rages self igniting in a trash can?
Same kinda thing. a little methane, some oxy, some heat, boom!
Plus it doesn;t have to.
All that mass, methane, mushy ground covered with hard packed dirt and sod
Boom! o r maybe a SPLAT
May 18, 2023 12:04:33 #
One Rude Dawg wrote:
Lived in Fairbanks back in '50s & '60s when it... (show quote)
I am inclined to believe that many years ago before the dinosaurs died off they did a lot of farting! Now we are reaping what we have sown. Don’t visit those places with a lit match!
May 18, 2023 12:05:46 #
Scruples wrote:
I am inclined to believe that many years ago before the dinosaurs died off they did a lot of farting! Now we are reaping what we have sown. Don’t visit those places with a lit match!
Just the thought of that blows me away.
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