Subsidence risk from thawing permafrost

The threat to man-made structures across regions in the far north can be monitored. The thawing and disappearance of permafrost has accelerated in recent decades1, damaging buildings and infrastructure and causing public concern2. Here we offer a geographic overview of the hazard potential associated with thawing permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere which indicates that vulnerability to subsidence is widespread. Much of the existing infrastructure erected in northern regions is located in areas of high hazard potential and could be affected by thaw subsidence under conditions of global warming.