Is the Spanish flu in permafrost?

On Aug. 20, 1997, Johan Hultin recovered samples of the 1918 influenza from the frozen corpse of a Native Alaskan woman buried for nearly eight decades in permafrost near Brevig Mission, Alaska.

What is released when glaciers melt?

The planet is losing its glaciers at a staggering rate, and the slew of large-scale environmental issues left in the wake of melting glaciers are well documented: carbon is released from thawing ground, river temperatures increase, ecosystems are shifted and the planet’s albedo is lowered.

Is permafrost poisonous?

Scientists have uncovered another hidden threat buried in the icy frozen north—massive natural reserves of mercury, a toxic heavy metal that in some forms can build up in fish and other animals and cause serious health problems in humans. …

How were bodies disposed of during the Spanish flu?

Because cremation was not yet popular, families often kept bodies at home. They covered them with ice to stave off decomposition until burial could take place. The demand overwhelmed the nation’s embalmers and casket builders.

How did they treat the Spanish flu?

How was Spanish flu treated? There were no medications effective against Spanish flu or antibiotics to treat the infections that people got as complications of the flu. There were also no machines to provide mechanical ventilation and no intensive care units.

What are the dangers of the ice melting?

Melting glaciers add to rising sea levels, which in turn increases coastal erosion and elevates storm surge as warming air and ocean temperatures create more frequent and intense coastal storms like hurricanes and typhoons.

How are humans destroying the Arctic?

The oil, gas, and mining industries can disrupt fragile tundra habitats. Drilling wells can thaw permafrost, while heavy vehicles and pipeline construction can damage soil and prevent vegetation from returning. This activity also increases the risk of toxic spills.