Permafrost Thaw Threatens Ice Cellars

Observation: We inspected local siġŀuaqs with our friend Joe Towksjha. Several traditional underground ice cellars in Point Hope, used for the storage of whale meat and maktak, are thawing and filling with water. Residents are bailing out the cellars to try and make them usable. The condition in some cellars however, are no longer adequate for food storage, and these are being abandoned. The cellar environment is too wet and too warm. Further investigation of the cellars and ways to preserve those that remain, is needed.

Resources:

Climate Change Effects on Traditional Inupiaq Ice Cellars

Climate Change Effects on Traditional Ice Cellars in Barrow Alaska

Climate Change in Point Hope Alaska