Climate security

Warning of 'collapse' of buildings in Siberia's permafrost cities in next 35 years

A major new academic study has warned of the risk to buildings in urban areas across Russia's permafrost zone caused by climate change. The Russian-US analysis says a worst-case scenario could lead to a 75-95% 'reduction in bearing capacity throughout the permafrost region by 2050'.

The authors conclude: 'This can have a devastating effect on cities built on permafrost.' Thawing of permafrost 'can potentially lead to deformation and collapse of structures'.

The study examined four Siberian towns and cities in detail, all within the 63% of Russian territory that is underpinned by permafrost.