A remote village on Alaska’s North Slope is facing a growing threat from beneath its feet. In Point Lay, also known as Kali, thawing ice-rich ground is causing the land to sink unevenly, damaging buildings and essential infrastructure. Researchers studying the community have documented widespread ground subsidence and found that large quantities of ice are frozen within the soil beneath the village. As that ice melts, the ground can lose volume and stability, leaving foundations and utility systems vulnerable. But the problem extends far beyond the village itself. The frozen soil also contains ancient organic material that has remained trapped for thousands of years. As the ground thaws, microbes can break down that material and release carbon dioxide and methane, adding to concerns about climate change.
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