Scientists have unearthed the remarkably preserved mummy of a newborn saber-toothed cat in Siberia’s permafrost. The 35,000-year-old kitten, belonging to the extinct species *Homotherium latidens*, still boasts its whiskers and claws, offering unprecedented insights into this ancient predator.
Austria’s iconic alpine huts and trail networks, vital for tourism and outdoor adventure, face growing challenges due to climate change. Thawing permafrost and glacier retreat are destabilizing mountain paths, jeopardizing safety, increasing maintenance costs, and forcing closures of beloved refuges. This article explores the urgent need for funding, sustainable practices, and a shift towards responsible travel in the face of this evolving landscape.
The Batagay crater, also known as the ‘Gateway to the Underworld’, is a colossal, expanding crater in Siberia’s permafrost. Formed by a collapsing hillside in the 1970s, it exposes the oldest permafrost in Siberia, dating back 650,000 years, offering invaluable insights into past climates and ancient life.
Gold miners in Siberia have stumbled upon a remarkable discovery: a mummified woolly rhino carcass with its horn and soft tissues still intact. This rare find, unearthed in the Oymyakon District of the Sakha Republic, presents a unique opportunity for scientists to study the history of the region and the extinct creature.
The Alaskan government has allocated $42.6 million for improvements to a 225-kilometer stretch of the Alaska Highway in Yukon, Canada. The Shakwak corridor, which runs between Destruction Bay and the Yukon/Alaska border, has been severely affected by thawing permafrost, resulting in road surface distortions, cracks, and potholes. The upgrades will include resurfacing, improved drainage, and potentially raising the road level in vulnerable sections to minimize the impact of thawing. Construction is expected to commence in 2025 and conclude in 2027.
