permafrostu

Permafrostu is not a recognized term in established scientific literature. In most cases, references intended to refer to frozen ground should use "permafrost." When encountered, permafrostu is likely a typographical error or a neologism used in speculative or fictional contexts. This article describes the conventional concept of permafrost.

Permafrost is ground, including soil, sediment, and rock, that remains at or below 0 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive years. It is found in polar regions and high mountains where winters are long and summers are brief. The surface layer that thaws seasonally is called the active layer; beneath it, the perennially frozen ground persists. The distribution of permafrost depends on climate, snow cover, soil properties, and geothermal heat flux.

During thaw, ice within the soil may melt, creating features such as thermokarst, land subsidence, and altered hydrology. Warming temperatures threaten permafrost stability, potentially releasing stored organic carbon as methane and carbon dioxide, contributing to climate feedback.

Researchers monitor permafrost using boreholes, ground-penetrating radar, and satellite-based methods. Understanding permafrost is important for infrastructure planning in Arctic regions, ecosystem dynamics, and climate models.