Permafrost advances at Yellowknife, Canada: Report of the Seventh International Conference On Permafrost
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26485/BP/1998/37/5Keywords:
Permafrost, contaminant, geohazards, permafrost evolution, conferenceAbstract
This article presents a report on the proceedings of the Seventh International Permafrost Conference, which was held in Yellowknife, Canada. The considerable areas of permafrost, in combination with the leading role of Canadian researchers in permafrost research, provided an ideal environment for knowledge exchange and discussion of the key challenges facing the permafrost research community. Among the priority topics was the systematic acquisition of permafrost data, including its distribution, thermal properties, and ice content. This data is essential for understanding permafrost dynamics and modelling its response to environmental changes. Simultaneously, the conference highlighted the increasing importance of research on the environmental impact of permafrost, particularly in the context of contaminant migration and accumulation, which has direct implications for ecosystem protection. Another significant issue was permafrost-related hazards, such as slope instability and thaw settlement, which pose challenges to infrastructure and public safety. In this context, the need for developing methods for risk prediction and mitigation was emphasized. The article also noted progress in research methodology, highlighting innovative geophysical techniques that enable effective permafrost mapping and ice resource assessment. Finally, a crucial topic of discussion was the impact of climate change on permafrost, a pressing issue in the context of global warming. The article briefly mentions Polish permafrost research, conducted in diverse environments (Arctic, Antarctica, Tatra Mountains), focusing on processes occurring within permafrost. The conference was complemented by field trips, which allowed participants to directly engage with research issues. Particularly important were trips to the Yukon and Mackenzie Delta, where practical aspects of construction in permafrost areas were presented, enabling the integration of theoretical knowledge with its applications.
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