Moderate climate warming could melt permafrost

Ancient cave formations in Siberia reveal effects of warmer past on frozen ground

A stalagmite’s past may help reveal Earth’s future. By studying Siberian cave formations as old as 500,000 years, researchers have found that even moderate climate warming may set off significant thawing of permafrost.

A researcher works in Ledyanaya Lenskaya Cave, in northern Siberia.