International Permafrost Association

06/01/2026

Pre-Conference Workshops at ACOP 2026

📢 Don't miss these exciting events:
(1) PYRN Workshop at ACOP2026

(2) GTN-P Workshop at ACOP 2026

Learn more:
https://permafrost.org/newsitem/pre-conference-workshops-at-acop-2026/

3rd Asian Conference on Permafrost (ACOP) 2026: ACOP2026, hosted by Institute of Geography and Geoecology of Mongolian Academy of Sciences and Mongolian Permafrost Association, will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from June ... Read more

05/06/2026

PDG Webinar: Modeling Arctic Tundra Capillary Networks with Sub-meter Resolution Satellite Imagery, GeoAI, and Graph Theory

The Permafrost Discovery Gateway (PDG) monthly webinar will be held on Thursday May 21, 2026, at 9:00 am AKT

Modeling Arctic Tundra Capillary Networks with Sub-meter Resolution Satellite Imagery, GeoAI, and Graph Theory

Speaker: Michael Pimenta, University of Connecticut

Abstract: Tundra Capillary Networks (TCNs) are emergent drainage systems that develop across degrading permafrost landscapes. Because TCNs structure surface hydrological connectivity, their expansion represents an important window into Arctic landscape reorganization. Existing TCN mapping approaches remain difficult to scale across the circumpolar Arctic. The increasing availability of very high spatial resolution Vantor (formerly Maxar) satellite imagery provides a unique opportunity to observe these features directly. In this work, we present the first-of-its-kind scalable and generalizable workflow as part of our High-resolution Arctic Built-infrastructure and Terrain Analysis Tool (HABITAT), integrating Vision Transformer-based semantic segmentation with graph-theoretic modeling to detect and quantify TCNs from Vantor satellite imagery. Applied across approximately 1 million km2 of Alaskan tundra, this framework mapped a total TCN length of more than 2.7 million km. By translating mapped TCNs into graph-theoretic metrics such as network length, node density, component structure, and connectivity, this approach reveals spatial patterns of landscape organization that are difficult to capture through pixel-based mapping alone.

https://www.permafrost.org/newsitem/pdg-webinar-modeling-arctic-tundra-capillary-networks-with-sub-meter-resolution-satellite-imagery-geoai-and-graph-theory/

05/06/2026

Join us May 22 at 2:00pm EST for the 21st webinar of the CPA Webinar Series, with a presentation by Jean Holloway, PhD on: Navigating a Changing Arctic: Shipping Risk, Dynamic Ice, and Emerging Coastal Vulnerabilities.

❄️What: CPA Webinar Series 21: Navigating a Changing Arctic: Shipping Risk, Dynamic Ice, and Emerging Coastal Vulnerabilities
❄️Who: Dr. Jean Holloway
❄️When: Friday, May 22 at 2 pm EST

Webinar is open to everyone, but attendees are required to register in advance at the following link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bGUr2RxVRrCYrkhUzfOVwg

04/21/2026

PDG Webinar: Integrating Building Volume and Occupancy Type into Circumpolar Arctic Infrastructure Damage Projections

Speaker: Elias Manos, University of Connecticut

Date: Thursday April 30, 2026 at 9:00 am AKT

Abstract: Disaster risk assessments performed for heavily populated mid-to-lower latitude regions are often based on complete, high-resolution building stock information with detailed attributes. In the Arctic circumpolar permafrost region (ACPR), limited satellite data coverage, low commercial incentive, and a sparse population have all historically contributed to a lack of building stock mapping efforts. However, petabyte-scale high-resolution commercial satellite imagery and elevation data spanning the ACPR, along with artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, now provide the opportunity to fill critical infrastructure data gaps that will improve our understanding of Arctic climate risk and support adaptation planning. In this work, deep learning models were used to map buildings and their occupancy across the ACPR from Maxar satellite imagery. Residential building story counts were estimated using ArcticDEM elevation data and national construction standards. Combining this building map with projected ground instability, Monte Carlo-estimated mid-century circumpolar building damages amount to 76 B USD (2.88–259.48) under moderate emissions and 261 B USD (17.01–379.11) under high emissions (median and 5th–95th percentile range), with uncertainty primarily driven by climatic variability, engineering practices, and deep learning model errors. Results indicate that authoritative building stock information across the Arctic (e.g., U.S. FEMA, NRCan, Rosstat) and existing scientific literature comparatively underestimate infrastructure risk across degrading permafrost regions.

https://www.permafrost.org/newsitem/pdg-webinar-integrating-building-volume-and-occupancy-type-into-circumpolar-arctic-infrastructure-damage-projections/

04/01/2026

IPA Travel Grants to ACOP – Registration now open!

We invite early-career permafrost researchers to apply for the GTN-P – IPA Grant covering the registration fee for ACOP 2026. This support is open to ECR presenters of accepted talks or posters who are engaged in, or interested in joining, the GTN-P network, and includes participation in a pre-conference workshop (Sunday, June 28, 2026). The grant covers the reimbursement of the conference registration fee. For more information, please visit the new GTN-P website (link). Application deadline is 1 May 2026.

Contact: GTN-P Office ([email protected])

The International Permafrost Association promotes research in permafrost and permafrost-related fields within the global scientific and engineering communities IPA News Membership “I encourage all those associated with permafrost science and ... Read more

04/01/2026

IPA AGs and SCs Online Meeting on 29 April 2026

The second Action Groups and Standing Committees meeting will be hold online. The AG&SC leaders will present the group’s recent activities, exchange ideas, and to receive suggestions on ways the IPA can support ongoing and future activities. This meeting will take place on 29th April 2026, 4 PM (CET). The meeting link will be shared together with the agenda a few days in advance.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact [email protected]

https://www.permafrost.org/newsitem/ipa-ags-and-scs-online-meeting-on-29-april-2026/

03/12/2026

The Permafrost Discovery Gateway (PDG) invites you to join our monthly webinar series on Thursday March 26, 2026 at 9:00 am AKT

Indigenous Knowledge Put to Work-Using Tundra Sod in Restoration
Speaker: Lorene Lynn, Red Mountain Consulting

Abstract: Tundra sod is an ideal material for tundra rehabilitation: it provides immediate vegetative cover, insulation, and water management. My team and I used traditional ways of knowing to repair damaged tundra at two houses in Arctic villages, Kaktovik and Point Lay (Kali), Alaska. The Iñupiat in Arctic Alaska historically used tundra sod to built their homes, and currently use tundra sod to insulate their ice cellars (siġḷuaq) and cover graves. Using tundra sod in rehabilitation and restoration activities was introduced by an elder, Charlie Hopson, in 2006 in response to an oil spill on tundra. The techniques for cutting tundra from a donor site have evolved and now include using heavy equipment, when possible. In Kaktovik and Point Lay, the only available donor sod is found at the base of the ocean bluffs. The tundra sod was cut by hand using long serrated bread knives and transported by ATV or by dragging sled-loads across the tundra. The tundra sod is stitched together at the repair site, much like horizontal stone masonry. Aside from the gratification of repairing damaged tundra, the most rewarding aspect of this work is the reception and gratitude we receive from the Iñupiat locals. They are excited to see us using Indigenous Knowledge and applying this knowledge to make improvements in their villages.

03/06/2026

Applications Open for ACOP 2026 Travel Grants and PermaCOST Training School

PYRN-IPA ACOP Grants
📅 March 20 at 23:59 GMT

ACOP Organizing Committee Grants
📅March 10, 2026

PermaCOST Training School

The International Permafrost Association promotes research in permafrost and permafrost-related fields within the global scientific and engineering communities IPA News Membership “I encourage all those associated with permafrost science and ... Read more

01/29/2026

📘 Frozen Ground 48 is now available online!

Many thanks to all contributors for making this issue possible.

Chen. L., Gärtner-Roer I., Vieira G., and Burn, C.R. (eds.) 2025. Frozen Ground 48 (2024). International Permafrost Association (IPA). DOI: 10.52381/IPA.FG482025.1.

Frozen Ground became the official News Bulletin of the International Permafrost Association in December 1989. It was preceded by five numbered newsletters between May 1986 and April 1989 that were prepared and distributed by the IPA Secretary General J. Ross Mackay. The early history and evolution the IPA is recorded in these newsletters. From 1997-2009 a single, printed annual issue was prepared. Starting in 2010, Frozen Ground was prepared and distributed in electronic format by the IPA Secretariats.

Frozen Ground 48 is now available online and can be accessed through the IPA website (link). We warmly thank all contributors for their valuable efforts in making this issue possible. ... Read more

01/29/2026

3rd Asian Conference on Permafrost (ACOP2026)

The abstract submission process for the Third Asian Permafrost Conference (ACOP 2026), to be held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, from June 28 to July 2, 2026, has now been completed.
A total of 363 scientists and researchers from 25 countries have submitted their abstracts to participate in the conference. The organizing committee is currently working on abstract review and classification, the organization of the 18 thematic sessions, and the preparation of the detailed conference program.
Due to the large number of expected participants, ongoing preparatory work, and requests from attendees, the deadlines for conference registration and travel grant applications for ACOP 2026 have been extended until February 15.
We sincerely thank all scientists and researchers who have submitted their contributions to the Third Asian Permafrost Conference.
We look forward to welcoming you to Mongolia.

More information is available: https://www.permafrost.org/newsitem/3rd-asian-conference-on-permafrost-acop2026/

Provided by Avirmed Dashtseren

The abstract submission process for the Third Asian Permafrost Conference (ACOP 2026), to be held in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, from June 28 to July 2, 2026, has now ... Read more