Ice-rich Permafrost Fuels Arctic Fires

Nature Geoscience commentary, September 28

More than half of 2020’s Arctic fires so far this year have occurred in ice-rich permafrost. Formerly thought to be “fire resistant”, these ecosystems also contain the most carbon-rich soils in the Arctic, and are increasingly vulnerable to burning. The thawing, drying, and burning of ice-rich permafrost can considerably increase carbon emission rates, and further accelerate global warming beyond that from direct human emissions. The authors call for an urgent push to improve our understanding of this intensifying Arctic fire regime, so it can be considered in future climate change projections.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-020-00645-5

Compiled by Amy Imdieke.

Pam Pearson

Recent Posts

Without Emissions Cuts, A Real Risk of Extreme Sea-level Rise by 2100

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 23 April 2026 Observations suggest we are currently tracking…

1 day ago

Increasing Avalanche Risk from Himalayan Hanging Glaciers

NPJ Natural Hazards, 16 April 2026) Rising temperatures and shifting regional precipitation patterns are reducing…

1 day ago

Heavier Rainfall, Glacier Melt Increase Flooding Across the Tibetan Plateau

Nature Communications, 18 March 2026 This study identified a marked increase in both flood frequency…

1 day ago

Intense Ocean Warming, Even If Temporary, Could Trigger Major Antarctic Ice Loss

The Cryosphere, 7 April 2026 Projections of Antarctica’s response to temporary but extreme ocean warming…

1 day ago

Antarctic Sea Ice Decline Linked to Extreme Weather and Climate Patterns

The Cryosphere, 1 April 2026 Antarctic sea ice stayed fairly steady from 2010-2014, but began…

1 day ago

COP30 Video of the Week: Emerging Evidence of Abrupt Changes in the Antarctic Environment

Changes in Antarctica can trigger fast and cascading impacts, often with global consequences. Multiple abrupt…

1 day ago