As climate change melts permafrost, landslides are becoming more dangerous
by editors@theworld.org (Jenna Gadbois) from The World: Latest Stories on (#741MM)
In northern latitudes and high altitudes, the permafrost layer is a layer of earth that stays frozen year round. It's that layer of permafrost that holds many mountain summits together. As climate change drives up global temperatures, much of that permafrost is starting to thaw. That thawing in turn loosens the soil, which can collapse and turn into landslides. National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek is in Alaska, where he spent time with a man creating an early warning system for landslides to help communities there prepare. He tells Host Carolyn Beeler all about what he learned.