TED-Ed: What's hidden in Arctic ice? | Brendan Rogers and Jessica Howard

The video explores the discovery of ancient remains in permafrost, highlighting its role in preserving biological materials. It discusses the impact of climate change on permafrost, which is thawing rapidly, releasing greenhouse gases and affecting indigenous communities. The video emphasizes the importance of permafrost as a carbon reservoir and the feedback loop that accelerates climate change.

What makes permafrost an excellent preserver of ancient biological remains?

• The lack of microorganisms

• The presence of ice crystals that draw moisture away

• Its ability to freeze remains instantly

• Its high temperature

What was discovered in permafrost in 2016?

• A Gray Wolf Pup

• A flowering tundra plant

• A cave bear

• A woolly mammoth calf

How did researchers identify a new species of mammoth?

• By observing living descendants

• By analyzing cave paintings

• By reconstructing DNA from mammoth teeth

• By finding a complete skeleton

What is a significant consequence of permafrost thawing?

• Increased agricultural productivity

• Formation of new glaciers

• Release of greenhouse gases

• Decrease in sea levels

Which communities are most affected by permafrost thawing?

• Urban populations

• Desert communities

• Indigenous and First Nations people

• Tropical island residents

What is the estimated amount of carbon stored in permafrost?

• 800 billion tons

• 1.6 trillion tons

• 500 million tons

• 2.5 trillion tons

Why is it crucial to preserve permafrost?

• To reduce ocean salinity

• To increase global temperatures

• To create more land for agriculture

• To maintain Earth's biodiversity and climate stability