Permafrost refers to earth materials at or below 0°C (32°F) for at least two consecutive years (see end of article for more details). Understanding the characteristics and behavior of permafrost can benefit all stages of resource development in cold regions. New innovations in the fields of permafrost science and engineering are continuing as industry gains a better appreciation for the dynamic nature of permafrost and the need to minimize environmental impact and stabilize northern infrastructure. Site-specific permafrost evaluations are key to the engineering design, surface and groundwater management, and infrastructure operation aspects of resource development projects.
