I have written about thermokarsts before here and I will do it again when this Friday theme seems very appropriate for this natural creation.

Thermokarsts are huge, and are the result of permafrost (soil that remains continuously frozen for at least two consecutive years) degradation. Permafrost degradation is connected to climate, since the term permafrost is connected to frozen ground. With increase in temperature these features may increase in numbers over large areas in the permafrost zone. But temperature itself is not the only driver and there are other factors that may trigger the degradation of permafrost.

One of the key parts in research about thermokarsts and permafrost right now is to figure out what effect this degradation has on the global carbon budget. The permafrost zone contains more than 50% of the estimated GLOBAL belowground carbon storage, even though it only accounts for about 16% of the global soil area.

Up on the north slope (and also in the boreal forest) there are not only thermokarst, there are also mosquitoes, many many mosquitoes.

This winter break me and W went to canyon lands in Utah, specifically island in the sky. An amazing place and if you haven't been there yet, I suggest you go. These canyons that have been shaped through time have so much history stored in them, and it's amazing that we can hike, and see such an undeveloped place that has been fairly untouched by humans, but completely modified by mother nature.

What will it look like in 100 years? or a thousand? Will those stone towers still be there?

I love hiking, and sometimes you just are and the right place at the right moment

He didn't even see us,

Anyway, hope you all will have a great weekend