Ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years, found primarily in polar regions and high mountains. Permafrost contains vast amounts of organic matter and acts as a major carbon reservoir in Earth's climate system.
From Latin 'permanens' meaning 'remaining' and 'frost' from Old English, literally meaning 'permanently frozen.' The term was coined in the 1940s as scientists studying Arctic regions needed a specific word for this phenomenon.
Permafrost is like Earth's deep freezer, storing twice as much carbon as the entire atmosphere! As global temperatures rise, this ancient frozen soil is thawing and releasing methane and carbon dioxide, creating a powerful feedback loop that could dramatically accelerate climate change.
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