Permafrost

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/permafrost

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How deep is Permafrost?Exceeds 1,500 meters (4,900 feet)
2. How big is Permafrost?Covers approximately 11% of the global surface area (18 million km²)
3. What is the minimum frozen duration?Continuously remains below 0°C (32°F) for two years or more

Permafrost: Ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years, forming a stable, icy substrate.
Active Layer: The uppermost layer of ground above permafrost that undergoes seasonal freezing and thawing.
Biomass: Organic matter derived from plants and animals, which is preserved in permafrost over long periods.
Carbon Sink: A natural reservoir that accumulates and stores carbon-containing chemical compounds.