Early Spring Thaw Triggers Arctic Greenhouse Gas Release

The Arctic may appear inactive during the winter, but a recent study reveals that critical processes are taking place. Some carbon dioxide and methane are released during the early spring thaw, according to researchers.

These greenhouse gas releases, which were remotely detected near Barrow, Alaska, could have easily been dismissed as a measurement error. However, a research team did some digging - literally, removing cores of frozen soil from the study site. When they allowed the cores to thaw, they discovered pockets of methane and carbon dioxide that had built up during the late fall months.

In the April issue of EARTH Magazine, read how the research team discovered these intermittent greenhouse gas emissions, and learn about the implications for both the Arctic carbon cycle and global climate.

Also in this issue:

• Seismologists are accounting for Syrian refugees in new earthquake risk models.
• Learn the secrets of one of Earth’s most active volcanoes, which lies nearly 300 miles west of the Oregon-Washington border - and nearly a mile beneath the ocean surface.

For these stories and more, subscribe to EARTH Magazine.