The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permafrost Tunnel is a fascinating place. Located in Fox, Alaska, the tunnel was constructed in the 1960's to study permafrost, or permanently frozen ground. Due to the long months of freezing temperatures in Interior Alaska, in some places the ground stays frozen... forever. This leads to a unique environment where the past is literally frozen in time. Virtually explore the Permafrost Tunnel to learn about the Alaska of long ago. In the virtual tour, you can see remains of animals and plant life from different eras dating as far back as 33,000 years! Taking the virtual tour of this frozen tunnel in Alaska is like walking into the Earth to see the past frozen in time.
The tunnel was constructed from 1963 - 1969 in order to study permafrost, geology, ice science, mining and construction techniques in permafrost environments.
The tunnel is burrowed into a hillside. It travels down to about 50 feet below ground and is almost 450 feet long.
The tunnel stays frozen year round. Weather in Alaska can affect the tunnel, so in the summer, air conditioning keeps the tunnel cold and in the winter, the surrounding frozen air is blown in with fans.
A truss system ensures the tunnel roof is secure from collapse, although tunnel guides assure the frozen ground doesn't need any help staying in place.
The tunnel offers researchers easy access to layers of silt more than 40,000 years old. The tunnel's frozen walls expose a continuous cross section of undisturbed, perennially frozen, fossil-rich silt, sand and gravel on top of bedrock.
This mandible, or jaw bone, is from a juvenile type of bison (Bison priscus), now long extinct. It was frozen into the wall of the cave approx. 14,500 years ago.
The small circles show where scientists have removed core samples. New discoveries are being made all the time in the permafrost in Alaska.
The Chlorophyll is still green in these 10,000 year old roots. Examining permafrost gives you an opportunity to observe some of the fascinating and weird things about Alaska.
This thigh bone (femur) from a bison priscus was carbon dated to 14,000 years old.
The deeper parts of the cave are reserved for the professionals and to preserve the ancient remains still undiscovered at the site.
Take the virtual tour of this incredible tunnel of frozen history.
Virtual Tour of the Permafrost Tunnel here.
Have you ever visited this frozen tunnel in Alaska? What did you think? Will you tour it again? Let us know in the comments below!
To find out more, see the CCREL Permafrost Tunnel Website. Have you been to Fox, Alaska? Tell us about it below in the comments.
If you want to learn more about the fascinating natural wonder of Alaska that is permafrost, read about The Underground Natural Wonder In Alaska That’s Positively Unique.
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