Imagine a day when the land you've known your entire life begins to fade away. For a group of Tibetan farmers, this isn't just a supposition, but a shocking reality. Suddenly, the permafrost began to flow like lava, dramatically transforming its surroundings. This event is a clear example of how the permafrost can influence the natural environment.
On September 7, in China's Qinghai Autonomous Prefecture, residents witnessed a surprising phenomenon that, although natural, left everyone stunned: the permafrost descended like lava spewed from a volcano. This event affected several families and a local farm, which was forced to relocate due to the risks posed by remaining there.
The reason behind this amazing event is a process known as solifluction, which is characterized by slow and massive displacement of soil formations on permafrost due to the plasticity and fluidity acquired by these layers when they absorb a significant amount of water. This phenomenon is common in periglacial climates, where temperatures drop below 0°C and maximum temperatures remain below 10°C for two to four months a year.
The alternating freezing and thawing of ice in these regions causes the clay to shift, precipitating in very thin layers and profoundly altering the original characteristics of the terrain. This phenomenon also influences how ecosystems can adapt to climate change.
But do you want to see the video that shows this phenomenon? Here it is:
The reaction of those who witnessed this phenomenon has been one of astonishment and fear. It is a reminder of how climate change can affect even the most remote regions of the planet. With the global warming, the stability of permafrost is threatened, which could open the door to a host of environmental and social problems in Tibet and beyond. This highlights the importance of the study on the permafrost and its effects.
What is permafrost?
El permafrost It is a layer of soil that remains frozen for more than a year, typical of cold regions. This layer can include sediment, soil, and ice. It is a crucial component of the ecosystem in Arctic regions and is considered a major regulator of the global climate due to its ability to store carbon.
As the planet warms, permafrost is beginning to melt, which releases carbon and methane into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Permafrost is estimated to contain twice as much carbon as the entire atmosphere today, so its decomposition could have catastrophic consequences.
The impact of global warming on Tibetan permafrost
Global warming has led to an increase in medium temperature on the Tibetan Plateau. This increase has accelerated the rate of permafrost thawing and altered the dynamics of the local ecosystem. A recent study published in PNAS has determined that the permafrost in this region is melting at an alarming rate, especially during spring, when solar radiation is most intense.
Research indicates that solar radiation is the main cause of melting, since its incidence penetrates the soil and thaws the snow, which, in turn, moistens the soil. This moisture is absorbed by plant roots, allowing them to grow and expand into previously inhospitable areas. Furthermore, rising temperatures due to climate change also contribute to this phenomenon. This underscores the importance of researching the .
Josep Peñuelas, a researcher at CREAF, comments that over the last 40 years, the effect of temperature has decreased, while solar radiation has played an increasingly important role in the freeze-thaw cycle.
The Third Pole
The Tibetan Plateau, also known as the Third Pole, houses one of the world's largest freshwater reserves, feeding major rivers such as the Ganges and the Indus. This 'storehouse' of ice-cold water is crucial to the water supply across much of Asia, essential for irrigation, human consumption and energy production.
With climate change affecting this region, it is vital to understand the mechanisms that drive permafrost thawing in order to develop effective strategies that can help mitigate its effects. Studies have reviewed data from the past four decades, examining factors that initiate the freeze-thaw cycle.
Greener is not always better
An interesting aspect of the greening observed on the Tibetan Plateau is that it's not always beneficial. Peñuelas warns that an increase in vegetation can cause greater competition for resources, especially water. New vegetation may also require specific nutrients, such as potassium and phosphorus, which can be limiting in the soil.
As temperatures and water availability increase, the atmospheric carbon It may remain in plants and soil for a shorter period of time. This is because both plants and microorganisms increase their respiration rates in warmer conditions, which can, paradoxically, increase CO2 emissions rather than decrease them.
Research on Tibetan permafrost is being conducted by several institutions, including Nanjing University of China and the CSIC, and aims to better assess the causes of thawing and project future scenarios that could help protect this vital ecosystem. This is critical to understanding how permafrost change can affect biodiversity.
The importance of the Tibetan plateau
The Tibetan Plateau is not only famous for its height and its role as the "roof of the world," but it is also critical to the global climate. It regulates weather patterns in Asia and is part of a hydrological system that affects millions of people. The rivers that originate in Tibet are vital not only to the region but to all of Asia.
The Tibetan glaciersThe largest area of low-lying glaciers in the world, the Arctic, are particularly vulnerable to climate change. With an 80% reduction in their extent, the loss of these glaciers has significant consequences for water supplies. This is especially worrying given that their meltwater feeds many important rivers that serve as a source of food for agriculture and consumption in several Asian countries.
Risks associated with thawing permafrost
The release of greenhouse gases The release of melted permafrost is one of the main concerns associated with global warming. This release contributes to global warming, creating a vicious cycle that could be difficult to stop. Therefore, further research into it and how it affects climate change is essential.
As permafrost thaws, it can also release ancient pathogens that have been trapped in the ice for millennia. In some cases, this has led to outbreaks of diseases that had been eradicated, as seen with anthrax in Siberia, where melting permafrost released spores that infected reindeer herds and humans.
In this context, research and ongoing monitoring are essential. Studying how permafrost behaves under different conditions will help scientists better understand the potential impacts of climate change in this critical region.
As we move into the future, it will be imperative to adopt strategies that not only address the reduction of Emissions of greenhouse gases, but also consider the protection of ecosystems like the Tibetan one. Solutions must be sustainable and support the adaptation of local communities, which are often the most affected by environmental changes.
- Tibetan permafrost is melting faster due to global warming.
- The decomposition of permafrost can release large amounts of carbon and methane.
- The Tibetan Plateau affects water availability throughout Asia.
- Greening the region is not always beneficial and can bring complications.