Scientists Say Melting Ice Threatens Global Seed Vault Grant Suneson - Newsy
go to original May 25, 2017

A global seed depository in the Arctic recently flooded, and scientists are worried that climate change is taking its toll. (Newsy )

Apparently, even the most advanced apocalypse bunkers aren't safe from climate change.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault was established near the North Pole by the Norwegian government. It aims to preserve the seeds of nearly a million different kinds of crops from every country on Earth.

The massive vault was buried under the arctic permafrost to safeguard seeds in case of war or natural disasters. But rising temperatures near the pole melted the ice and flooded the entrance to the vault.

The water seeped in, then re-froze in the vault's subzero temperatures. A Norwegian official said, "It was like a glacier when you went in."

Fortunately, the water froze near the entrance, and none of the seeds were damaged. But now scientists are concerned about the long-term well-being of the vault, one of humanity's most important backup plans ever.

"Some journalists call this the 'Noah's Ark of plant diversity.' And personally, I think that's quite a good name," Svalbard Global Seed Vault coordinator Asmund Asdal said to Motherboard.

Read the rest at Newsy

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