While in Alaska, I had the opportunity to take a helo ride out to a field site, which was really exciting! (I posted a video from the ride
here.)
A
thermokarst is basically landscape feature where the permafrost has thawed to a point that the soil is no longer stable, and the ground fails. It is really interesting from a sampling standpoint because it features a large release of soil and carbon that has otherwise been locked up in the ice, and this material shows some unique behavior.
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| Red helo. |
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| Squishy! |
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| Sampling with Rose. |
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| Older thermokarst. |
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| Field station from the air. |
Walking across a thermokarst is also very interesting, as it is basically tussock islands floating on what feels like a mud bath water bed that happens to behave like quicksand. Rather like a video game actually. (There is a video of me walking in one
here. I apologize if the link doesn't work!)
It is also unique because the landscape is literally changing before your eyes, with chunks of the wall collapsing and such. I was really happy to get the chance to see this for myself, and, of course, to ride in the helo!
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