A total of 48 new wells for monitoring the state of frozen soils (permafrost) will be drilled by the end of this year in 10 regions of Russia, including the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.
Plans to expand the network of hydrogeological wells were announced at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.
30 observation points are already in operation. Another 48 new wells will appear in Altai, Buryatia, Komi Republic, Amur, Arkhangelsk and Magadan regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Chukotka, Nenets District and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.
According to scientists, Yamal is among regions where the system is already fully operational.
Monitoring data will lead to a better understanding of how permafrost is changing due to global warming. After the launch of the well network, researchers will be able to identify nationwide areas that fall into the risk zone due to the melting of frozen soils, sever-press.ru reports.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
