My Science School

What is permafrost?

Permafrost is a layer of ice and frozen soil that never thaws. It lies beneath nearly one-quarter of the Earth’s surface, throughout Alaska, Canada and Russia. Sometimes the soil in these places is frozen to a depth of up to 1,500 m. The surface layers may melt enough in summer for plants to grow, but the soil beneath is permanently frozen.

Picture credit: google

Are there places where nothing can live?

Hot volcanic lava is probably the only place on the Earth’s surface where there is no life at all. Living things have evolved to survive in the harshest environments. Tiny bacteria can be found everywhere on the Earth, even buried in thick ice at the poles or in the very deepest parts of the ocean. 

Picture credit: google