ABoVE: Permafrost Measurements and Distribution Across the Y-K Delta, Alaska, 2016

This dataset provides field observations of thaw depth and dominant vegetation types, a LiDAR-derived elevation map, and permafrost distribution and probability maps for an area on the coastal plain of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD), in western Alaska, USA. Field data were collected during July 8-17, 2016 to parameterize and to validate the derived permafrost maps. The YKD is in the sporadic to isolated permafrost zone where permafrost forms extensive elevated plateaus on abandoned floodplains. The region is extremely flat and vulnerable to eustatic sea-level rise and inland storm surges. These high-resolution permafrost maps support landscape change analyses and assessments of the impacts of climate change on permafrost in this region of high biological productivity, critical wildlife habitats, and subsistence-based human economy.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Maintainer Earthdata Forum
Last Updated August 25, 2026, 08:44 (UTC)
Created April 1, 2025, 14:07 (UTC)
accessLevel public
bureauCode {026:00}
catalog_conformsTo https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
harvest_object_id 3d41ca20-071e-44ea-9941-235522e2816d
harvest_source_id b99e41c6-fe79-4c19-bbc3-9b6c8111bfac
harvest_source_title Science Discovery Engine
identifier 10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1598
license https://www.usa.gov/government-works
modified 2026-08-17T22:16:00Z
programCode {026:000}
publisher ORNL_DAAC
resource-type Dataset
source_datajson_identifier true
source_hash a87a5755cc7d1b074bbaa0af960cb329c78b8a094ed2e7252f1bdb0d9374702f
source_schema_version 1.1
spatial ["CARTESIAN", [{"WestBoundingCoordinate": -165.69, "NorthBoundingCoordinate": 61.2881, "EastBoundingCoordinate": -165.03, "SouthBoundingCoordinate": 61.1694}]]
temporal 2009-06-27/2016-07-17
theme {"Earth Science"}