Self-sustaining soil cavity hole

Groundwater

Ice / Snow Change

Land

Physical or Chemical Change

Fairbanks, Alaska, United States

DMS:	N 64º 52' 28.771" W 147º 49' 39.624"
Lat/Lng:	64.8746587140784 -147.827673378794

Nearby

A small soil cavity in the UAF North Campus boreal forest remains open all winter, maintaining a steady temperature and emitting high CO2 levels, which is unusual for its self-sustaining nature and potential implications for permafrost research.

Observation by Leanne Bulger:

There is a small soil cavity (approx 3m depth, <1m width) in the UAF North Campus boreal forest, within the lower Skarland Trail system. It has a small opening in the organic layer (19cm wide) that stays open all winter on its own, and it is located on the sidewall of a thermokarst that resembles a dropout doline. It creates a protective snow "chimney" and has for the last 2 years. The cavity holds a stead temp of 0.5-2°C and emits a high concentration of CO2.

LEO Says:

Thank you Leanne for this really unique and interesting observation. We have seen many observations in LEO Network about permafrost thaw, thermokarsts, methane seeps and related phenomena, but nothing that quite meets your description. We have attached some observations and news stories about other subsurface phenomena to provide context. Also, we have shared your observation with some friends in the LEO Network who are active on permafrost related issues; at the UAF Permafrost Lab and through the Permafrost Discovery Gateway (see links). We look forward to learning more on the topic and following this story in the years ahead.