Thaw-related Cracking of Local Roads

Observation by Johnee Seetot:

Our roads are experiencing cracking and erosion on the sides, and in some cases the middle of the roadways. We are going to get out there and document some of these conditions, and hope the pictures reflect the conditions.

Comments from LEO Editors: 

The Nome weather station shows 2019 to be near the warmest and wettest on record. These conditions are accelerating permafrost thaw in some areas and resulting in land subsidence and erosion (see Johnee Seetot's photos). This is called longitudinal road cracking and is a common problem for roads in permafrost regions throughout Alaska.

This observation has been forwarded to the Kawerak Inc. and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Permafrost Laboratory. Mike Brubaker