One image from space captures Alaska’s terrifying wildfire season

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September 1, 2015 image of Alaskan burn scars taken from space by the NASA Earth Observatory.
September 1, 2015 image of Alaskan burn scars taken from space by the NASA Earth Observatory.

September 1, 2015 image of Alaskan burn scars. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Michelle Mack describes the effects the wildfires in Alaska this summer will have on the carbon emissions from permafrost in this story in the Washington Post.

“Beyond the direct carbon emissions from fire, loss of the insulating organic layer is likely to destabilize permafrost, leading to thaw, decomposition and release of soil carbon that may be hundreds to thousands of years old. These permafrost carbon stocks are irreplaceable in the current climate.”

 

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