answersLogoWhite

0

The permafrost contains vast amounts of frozen methane (CH4), a powerful greenhouse gas. An overall melting of the permafrost will release this methane. This huge extra amount of methane in the atmosphere will immediately trap more heat. This new heat will melt more tundra and glaciers, beginning a dangerous cycle that could cause a runaway greenhouse effect. This would mean the end of all life on earth.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Earth Science

Why could the melting of permafrost cause a runaway greenhouse?

It is thought that a vast amount of carbon dioxide is held imprisoned within the permafrost. If the permafrost was to melt, the carbon dioxide released would add considerably to the greenhouse affect.


Would the melting of permafrost cause a runaway greenhouse effect?

It's possible. Yes. Permafrost is essentially frozen peaty deposits in many of the arctic regions of the world. As the organics have slowly decomposed over thousands of years under anaerobic conditions they have released methane gas which has been trapped in the ice and organic fiber matrix of the permafrost materials. Melting permafrost releases this methane which is a potent greenhouse gas. The feedback of global warming causing the melting and the melting releasing methane to enhance the warming effect creates a greater and growing problem.


What planet has more greenhouse effect?

Venus has the most pronounced greenhouse effect in our solar system. Its thick atmosphere is composed mostly of carbon dioxide, which traps heat and creates a runaway greenhouse effect, resulting in extreme temperatures of up to 900°F (475°C) on the surface.


Is the planet that features the runaway greenhouse effect.?

Venus is the planet that features a runaway greenhouse effect, where high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere trap heat, leading to extreme temperature increases and a thick layer of clouds. This has resulted in Venus having surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead.


What will a runaway greenhouse effect do to the Earth?

the greenhouse effect is an increase in the average temperature of the earth "Greenhouse gases" such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone and methane, slow the escape of heat from earth's atmosphere.

Related Questions

Why could the melting of permafrost cause a runaway greenhouse?

It is thought that a vast amount of carbon dioxide is held imprisoned within the permafrost. If the permafrost was to melt, the carbon dioxide released would add considerably to the greenhouse affect.


Would the melting of permafrost cause a runaway greenhouse effect?

It's possible. Yes. Permafrost is essentially frozen peaty deposits in many of the arctic regions of the world. As the organics have slowly decomposed over thousands of years under anaerobic conditions they have released methane gas which has been trapped in the ice and organic fiber matrix of the permafrost materials. Melting permafrost releases this methane which is a potent greenhouse gas. The feedback of global warming causing the melting and the melting releasing methane to enhance the warming effect creates a greater and growing problem.


Does Uranus have a runaway greenhouse effect?

NO.


Due to a runaway greenhouse affect what planet has a high temperature affect?

Venus is the hot planet with the runaway greenhouse effect. its oceans have boiled dry.


Is the planet that features the runaway greenhouse effects?

Venus


Which planet is dominated by a Greenhouse effect?

Venus has a runaway greenhouse effect that has boiled its oceans dry.


Which planet is the hottest due to the greenhouse effect gone wild?

Venus has a runaway greenhouse effect. Its seas have now boiled dry!


If the greenhouse effect went out of control what would you have?

You could have a runaway greenhouse effect, where positive feedbacks increase so rapidly that the temperature rises too fast and too high to control. Venus has a runaway greenhouse effect, and the oceans have boiled dry and the ground temperature is about 464 °C (867°F).


Which planet has a poisonous atmosphere that has been described as the product of a runaway greenhouse effect?

VENUS


What is the ' runaway greenhouse effect' produced by Venus' atmosphere?

The runaway greenhouse effect on Venus occurred when carbon dioxide (CO2) levels got so high that it caused an extreme temperature rise. Venus used to have oceans, but these have all boiled dry.


What makes the surface of Venus so hot?

A runaway greenhouse effect caused by Venus's thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.


Which planet's poisonous atmosphere has been described as the product of a runaway greenhouse effect?

Venus. The atmosphere of Venus consists of about 96.5% carbon dioxide (CO2), a powerful greenhouse gas.