<i><a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Larix_gmelinii" title="Larix gmelinii">Larix gmelinii</a></i> forest. This is what the Siberians call a "drunken forest". Permafrost that has not melted provides a solid foundation that holds trees upright. When permafrost melts, as it has here, the layer of loose soil deepens and trees lose their foundations, tipping over at odd angles. Kochechum River, Evenkiyskiy Avtonomnyy Okrug, Russia; <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/SiberiaBlog/Images/siberia_utm_outline.jpg">66°20'N 99°00'E</a>.<br>As we traveled down river, I saw what the Siberians call a "drunken forest". This area is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Permafrost" class="extiw" title="w:en:Permafrost">permafrost</a>, where the soil stays firmly frozen year round. Larch grows well here, but their roots are shallow. When permafrost melts, the trees lose their footing and tilt to the side. I guess the trees look like a drunk trying to walk home, tilted at crazy angles. It is a curious sight, but it is also a clear sign that the temperature in that spot has been warm enough to melt the permafrost. -- Weblog of Dr. Jon Ranson in Siberia.
Jon Ranson, NASA Science blog
2007-08-01
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/SiberiaBlog/20070801.php">NASA Science blog</a>