{"id":7603,"date":"2025-02-18T14:18:07","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T13:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/?p=7603"},"modified":"2025-02-18T15:35:45","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T14:35:45","slug":"the-dangerous-thawing-of-frozen-soils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/articles\/the-dangerous-thawing-of-frozen-soils\/","title":{"rendered":"The dangerous thawing of frozen soils"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Credit : Pxhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Permafrost is ground where the soil has been permanently frozen for at least two consecutive years and sometimes for millions of years. It covers approximately one quarter of land masses in the Northern Hemisphere where between 3 and 4 million people live. In mainland France, permafrost is believed to cover between 180 and 250km\u00b2 in the Southern Alps, in zones located at an altitude above 2,500 – 3,000 meters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2100, due to global warming, permafrost coverage is projected to fall by 10 to 40% according to the most optimistic scenario and 50 to 90% according to the most pessimistic<\/a>. Permafrost contains large quantities of organic carbon in the form of decomposed plant and animal matter. The best-known consequence of its thawing is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions (by releasing this carbon), responsible for climate change. In addition to the increase in these emissions in the atmosphere, the thawing of permafrost increases the occurrence of natural risks, such as land- and rockslides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water moves when permafrost thaws<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Permafrost is mechanically very solid because it contains ice. Landslides caused by its thawing can therefore be easily explained by the transformation of this ice into liquid water. Hard ground then transforms into mud, lacking in cohesion and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A more complex phenomenon also comes into play. During the formation of permafrost, ice crystals form and attract water from the non-frozen part of the soil into the zone currently freezing via cryogenic suction<\/a> (or cryosuction). This water thus forms ice lenses (of which the thickness may vary from a few micrometers to several meters) weakening the ground’s initial structure by transforminf into “water pockets” when they melt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Ice lens formation during frost front progression in soil
Cr\u00e9dit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon (Source : <\/a>https:\/\/geomorphologie-montagne.ch\/gonflement-cryogenique-et-cryosuccion\/)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Observing water in frozen soil in the laboratory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For several years, the Navier laboratory<\/a>has been carrying out research to study water in frozen soils and understand the effect of freeze-thaw phenomena. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), similar to the technique used in the medical field, is used to observe liquid water transfers and water-ice transformations inside the soil sample, known as the specimen. To observe on a micrometric scale (i.e., 100 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair) the soil structure and different phases it contains (solid grains, liquid water, air, ice, etc.), X-ray microtomography is also used. This is a technique that makes it possible to \u201csee\u201d through the sample (Illustration). These soil grain-scale observations are essential to better understand the effect of freezing and thawing on the mechanical behavior of the material observed on specimen scale (i.e., on the relationship between mechanical stresses applied to the specimen and its deformation). The ongoing REFROZEN<\/a> research project, in collaboration with Aachen University (RWTH in Germany) will provide unique insights into the behavior of frozen soils, as well as new unexplored digital approaches in the context of frozen soils (Le et al., 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
1 mm x 1 mm size image showing grains of sand (in white), capillary water (in grey) in contact between grains, and air (in black).
Source : (T. X. Le thesis, 2019<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Submarine gas hydrates: a form of permafrost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Finally, another lesser-known form of permafrost has also been studied by the Navier Laboratory for several years and will be the focus of new research in coming years. These are marine sediments containing natural gas hydrates<\/a> (methane). Under high-pressure (i.e., several tens of bars) and low-temperature (between 0\u00b0 and 4\u00b0C) conditions typical of the seabed, natural gas molecules are trapped between water molecules that then form a cage around each gas molecule, together forming what are known as gas hydrates. These hydrates possess physical properties similar to ice. Melting (referred to as dissociation) of natural gas hydrates increases the risk of undersea landslides – potential cause  of tsunamis – as well as greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere via the release of this previously trapped methane. Studying this form of permafrost is therefore essential in order to combat climate change (Ruffine et al., 2023<\/a>).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Permafrost is ground where the soil has been permanently frozen for at least two consecutive years and sometimes for millions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":7601,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_related_content_post":[],"_related_content_subject":[937,936],"_related_content_author":[5188,7721],"_related_content_category":[1720],"_related_content_folder":[7705],"_excerpt":"In August 2023, there was a spectacular rockslide along a busy motorway and railway in the municipality of Saint-Andr\u00e9 in Savoie. Several similar events were also observed in the Alps over the same period, the following year<\/a>. The origin of these accidents ? Thawing permafrost.","_duration":3,"_manual_duration":false,"footnotes":""},"article-types":[13,27],"class_list":["post-7603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article-types-article","article-types-folder"],"has_blocks":true,"block_data":[{"blockName":"enpc\/excerpt","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"lightbox":{"enabled":false},"id":7600,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"custom","align":"wide","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/nature-walking-mountain-snow-cold-hiking-768905-pxhere.com_.jpg","alt":"","caption":null,"title":"","href":"https:\/\/pxhere.com\/fr\/photo\/768905","rel":"noreferrer noopener","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"_blank","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-image alignwide size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"<\/a>
Credit : Pxhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"<\/a>
Credit : Pxhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/a>
Credit : Pxhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Permafrost is ground where the soil has been permanently frozen for at least two consecutive years and sometimes for millions of years. It covers approximately one quarter of land masses in the Northern Hemisphere where between 3 and 4 million people live. In mainland France, permafrost is believed to cover between 180 and 250km\u00b2 in the Southern Alps, in zones located at an altitude above 2,500 - 3,000 meters.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Permafrost is ground where the soil has been permanently frozen for at least two consecutive years and sometimes for millions of years. It covers approximately one quarter of land masses in the Northern Hemisphere where between 3 and 4 million people live. In mainland France, permafrost is believed to cover between 180 and 250km\u00b2 in the Southern Alps, in zones located at an altitude above 2,500 - 3,000 meters.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Permafrost is ground where the soil has been permanently frozen for at least two consecutive years and sometimes for millions of years. It covers approximately one quarter of land masses in the Northern Hemisphere where between 3 and 4 million people live. In mainland France, permafrost is believed to cover between 180 and 250km\u00b2 in the Southern Alps, in zones located at an altitude above 2,500 - 3,000 meters.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

By 2100, due to global warming, permafrost coverage is projected to fall by 10 to 40% according to the most optimistic scenario and 50 to 90% according to the most pessimistic<\/a>. Permafrost contains large quantities of organic carbon in the form of decomposed plant and animal matter. The best-known consequence of its thawing is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions (by releasing this carbon), responsible for climate change. In addition to the increase in these emissions in the atmosphere, the thawing of permafrost increases the occurrence of natural risks, such as land- and rockslides.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

By 2100, due to global warming, permafrost coverage is projected to fall by 10 to 40% according to the most optimistic scenario and 50 to 90% according to the most pessimistic<\/a>. Permafrost contains large quantities of organic carbon in the form of decomposed plant and animal matter. The best-known consequence of its thawing is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions (by releasing this carbon), responsible for climate change. In addition to the increase in these emissions in the atmosphere, the thawing of permafrost increases the occurrence of natural risks, such as land- and rockslides.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

By 2100, due to global warming, permafrost coverage is projected to fall by 10 to 40% according to the most optimistic scenario and 50 to 90% according to the most pessimistic<\/a>. Permafrost contains large quantities of organic carbon in the form of decomposed plant and animal matter. The best-known consequence of its thawing is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions (by releasing this carbon), responsible for climate change. In addition to the increase in these emissions in the atmosphere, the thawing of permafrost increases the occurrence of natural risks, such as land- and rockslides.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":null,"level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Water moves when permafrost thaws<\/strong><\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

Water moves when permafrost thaws<\/strong><\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Water moves when permafrost thaws<\/strong><\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Permafrost is mechanically very solid because it contains ice. Landslides caused by its thawing can therefore be easily explained by the transformation of this ice into liquid water. Hard ground then transforms into mud, lacking in cohesion and stability.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Permafrost is mechanically very solid because it contains ice. Landslides caused by its thawing can therefore be easily explained by the transformation of this ice into liquid water. Hard ground then transforms into mud, lacking in cohesion and stability.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Permafrost is mechanically very solid because it contains ice. Landslides caused by its thawing can therefore be easily explained by the transformation of this ice into liquid water. Hard ground then transforms into mud, lacking in cohesion and stability.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

A more complex phenomenon also comes into play. During the formation of permafrost, ice crystals form and attract water from the non-frozen part of the soil into the zone currently freezing via cryogenic suction<\/a> (or cryosuction). This water thus forms ice lenses (of which the thickness may vary from a few micrometers to several meters) weakening the ground's initial structure by transforminf into \"water pockets\" when they melt.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

A more complex phenomenon also comes into play. During the formation of permafrost, ice crystals form and attract water from the non-frozen part of the soil into the zone currently freezing via cryogenic suction<\/a> (or cryosuction). This water thus forms ice lenses (of which the thickness may vary from a few micrometers to several meters) weakening the ground's initial structure by transforminf into \"water pockets\" when they melt.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

A more complex phenomenon also comes into play. During the formation of permafrost, ice crystals form and attract water from the non-frozen part of the soil into the zone currently freezing via cryogenic suction<\/a> (or cryosuction). This water thus forms ice lenses (of which the thickness may vary from a few micrometers to several meters) weakening the ground's initial structure by transforminf into \"water pockets\" when they melt.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":7715,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/schema-EN-e1739884324817.png","alt":"","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
Ice lens formation during frost front progression in soil
Cr\u00e9dit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon (Source : <\/a>https:\/\/geomorphologie-montagne.ch\/gonflement-cryogenique-et-cryosuccion\/)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
Ice lens formation during frost front progression in soil
Cr\u00e9dit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon (Source : <\/a>https:\/\/geomorphologie-montagne.ch\/gonflement-cryogenique-et-cryosuccion\/)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Ice lens formation during frost front progression in soil
Cr\u00e9dit : Maria Camila Olarte Garzon (Source : <\/a>https:\/\/geomorphologie-montagne.ch\/gonflement-cryogenique-et-cryosuccion\/)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":null,"level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Observing water in frozen soil in the laboratory<\/strong><\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

Observing water in frozen soil in the laboratory<\/strong><\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Observing water in frozen soil in the laboratory<\/strong><\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":"ote_1"},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

For several years, the Navier laboratory<\/a>has been carrying out research to study water in frozen soils and understand the effect of freeze-thaw phenomena. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), similar to the technique used in the medical field, is used to observe liquid water transfers and water-ice transformations inside the soil sample, known as the specimen. To observe on a micrometric scale (i.e., 100 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair) the soil structure and different phases it contains (solid grains, liquid water, air, ice, etc.), X-ray microtomography is also used. This is a technique that makes it possible to \u201csee\u201d through the sample (Illustration). These soil grain-scale observations are essential to better understand the effect of freezing and thawing on the mechanical behavior of the material observed on specimen scale (i.e., on the relationship between mechanical stresses applied to the specimen and its deformation). The ongoing REFROZEN<\/a> research project, in collaboration with Aachen University (RWTH in Germany) will provide unique insights into the behavior of frozen soils, as well as new unexplored digital approaches in the context of frozen soils (Le et al., 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

For several years, the Navier laboratory<\/a>has been carrying out research to study water in frozen soils and understand the effect of freeze-thaw phenomena. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), similar to the technique used in the medical field, is used to observe liquid water transfers and water-ice transformations inside the soil sample, known as the specimen. To observe on a micrometric scale (i.e., 100 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair) the soil structure and different phases it contains (solid grains, liquid water, air, ice, etc.), X-ray microtomography is also used. This is a technique that makes it possible to \u201csee\u201d through the sample (Illustration). These soil grain-scale observations are essential to better understand the effect of freezing and thawing on the mechanical behavior of the material observed on specimen scale (i.e., on the relationship between mechanical stresses applied to the specimen and its deformation). The ongoing REFROZEN<\/a> research project, in collaboration with Aachen University (RWTH in Germany) will provide unique insights into the behavior of frozen soils, as well as new unexplored digital approaches in the context of frozen soils (Le et al., 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

For several years, the Navier laboratory<\/a>has been carrying out research to study water in frozen soils and understand the effect of freeze-thaw phenomena. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), similar to the technique used in the medical field, is used to observe liquid water transfers and water-ice transformations inside the soil sample, known as the specimen. To observe on a micrometric scale (i.e., 100 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair) the soil structure and different phases it contains (solid grains, liquid water, air, ice, etc.), X-ray microtomography is also used. This is a technique that makes it possible to \u201csee\u201d through the sample (Illustration). These soil grain-scale observations are essential to better understand the effect of freezing and thawing on the mechanical behavior of the material observed on specimen scale (i.e., on the relationship between mechanical stresses applied to the specimen and its deformation). The ongoing REFROZEN<\/a> research project, in collaboration with Aachen University (RWTH in Germany) will provide unique insights into the behavior of frozen soils, as well as new unexplored digital approaches in the context of frozen soils (Le et al., 2024<\/a>).<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":7549,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","align":"center","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/image.png","alt":"","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
1 mm x 1 mm size image showing grains of sand (in white), capillary water (in grey) in contact between grains, and air (in black).
Source : (T. X. Le thesis, 2019<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
1 mm x 1 mm size image showing grains of sand (in white), capillary water (in grey) in contact between grains, and air (in black).
Source : (T. X. Le thesis, 2019<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
1 mm x 1 mm size image showing grains of sand (in white), capillary water (in grey) in contact between grains, and air (in black).
Source : (T. X. Le thesis, 2019<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":null,"level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Submarine gas hydrates: a form of permafrost<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

Submarine gas hydrates: a form of permafrost<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Submarine gas hydrates: a form of permafrost<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Finally, another lesser-known form of permafrost has also been studied by the Navier Laboratory for several years and will be the focus of new research in coming years. These are marine sediments containing natural gas hydrates<\/a> (methane). Under high-pressure (i.e., several tens of bars) and low-temperature (between 0\u00b0 and 4\u00b0C) conditions typical of the seabed, natural gas molecules are trapped between water molecules that then form a cage around each gas molecule, together forming what are known as gas hydrates. These hydrates possess physical properties similar to ice. Melting (referred to as dissociation) of natural gas hydrates increases the risk of undersea landslides - potential cause  of tsunamis - as well as greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere via the release of this previously trapped methane. Studying this form of permafrost is therefore essential in order to combat climate change (Ruffine et al., 2023<\/a>).<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Finally, another lesser-known form of permafrost has also been studied by the Navier Laboratory for several years and will be the focus of new research in coming years. These are marine sediments containing natural gas hydrates<\/a> (methane). Under high-pressure (i.e., several tens of bars) and low-temperature (between 0\u00b0 and 4\u00b0C) conditions typical of the seabed, natural gas molecules are trapped between water molecules that then form a cage around each gas molecule, together forming what are known as gas hydrates. These hydrates possess physical properties similar to ice. Melting (referred to as dissociation) of natural gas hydrates increases the risk of undersea landslides - potential cause  of tsunamis - as well as greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere via the release of this previously trapped methane. Studying this form of permafrost is therefore essential in order to combat climate change (Ruffine et al., 2023<\/a>).<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Finally, another lesser-known form of permafrost has also been studied by the Navier Laboratory for several years and will be the focus of new research in coming years. These are marine sediments containing natural gas hydrates<\/a> (methane). Under high-pressure (i.e., several tens of bars) and low-temperature (between 0\u00b0 and 4\u00b0C) conditions typical of the seabed, natural gas molecules are trapped between water molecules that then form a cage around each gas molecule, together forming what are known as gas hydrates. These hydrates possess physical properties similar to ice. Melting (referred to as dissociation) of natural gas hydrates increases the risk of undersea landslides - potential cause  of tsunamis - as well as greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere via the release of this previously trapped methane. Studying this form of permafrost is therefore essential in order to combat climate change (Ruffine et al., 2023<\/a>).<\/p>\n"}],"seo":{"title":"The dangerous thawing of frozen soils"},"media":{"img":"\"Pergelisol\"","src":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/nature-walking-mountain-snow-cold-hiking-768905-pxhere.com_.jpg"},"url":"\/en\/articles\/the-dangerous-thawing-of-frozen-soils\/","related":{"post":[],"author":[{"title":"Jean-Michel Pereira","url":"\/en\/authors\/jean-michel-pereira\/","id":"5188","media":"\"\"","slug":"jean-michel-pereira"},{"title":"Anh Minh Tang","url":"\/en\/authors\/anh-minh-tang\/","id":"7721","media":"\"Anh","slug":"anh-minh-tang"}],"subject":[{"title":"Energy, Ecology & Climate","url":"\/en\/subjects\/energy-ecology-climate\/","id":"937","media":"\"\"","slug":"energy-ecology-climate"},{"title":"Cities, Urban planning & Construction","url":"\/en\/subjects\/cities-urban-planning-construction\/","id":"936","media":"\"\"","slug":"cities-urban-planning-construction"}],"category":[{"title":"Article collection","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/dossier\/","id":"1720","media":"","slug":"dossier","_related_post_type":"folder"}],"folder":[{"title":"Freezing and thawing: When winter puts our infrastructures to the test","url":"\/en\/folders\/freezing-and-thawing-when-winter-puts-our-infrastructures-to-the-test\/","id":"7705","media":"\"Permafrost\"","slug":"freezing-and-thawing-when-winter-puts-our-infrastructures-to-the-test"}]},"translated":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/articles\/la-dangereuse-fonte-des-sols-geles\/","icon":"icon-article","duration":"3","custom_excerpt":"In August 2023, there was a spectacular rockslide along a busy motorway and railway in the municipality of Saint-Andr\u00e9 in Savoie. Several similar events were also observed in the Alps over the same period, the following year<\/a>. The origin of these accidents ? Thawing permafrost.","duration_type":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7603"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7724,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7603\/revisions\/7724"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-types?post=7603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}