Jaunted

Siberia

Watch Out! Siberia's Melting

October 16, 2006 at 8:34 AM | 0 Comments

Where's the coldest place on earth? The North and South Poles probably rate a mention, but so does Siberia. There's one small problem, though: it's melting. Despite the fact that over 6 million square miles of Russia is permafrost--to make that clear, permanent frost--Siberia seems to be thawing out.

The facts are pretty scary. In the last thirty years, satellite photos prove that the total areas of lakes in Siberia have increased by some 12 percent. So animals are on the move, houses are sinking and, worst of all, this whole process is releasing massive amounts of methane gas, five times more than scientists predicted.

Two lessons: try not to add to methane emissions if you're traveling through Russia; and book your Siberian trip before it's all just one big puddle.

[Photo: C_ONO_R]

Related stories:
· Siberia's Once Frozen Tundra is Melting [Radio Free Europe]
· Ride the Cold Train [Jaunted]