Arctic lakes have been disappearing for the last 30 years, probably in response to thawing permafrost linked to global warming, according to a new study published on Friday.

　　Arctic lakes have been disappearing for the last 30 years, probably in response to thawing permafrost linked to global warming, according to a new study published on Friday.
In a paper in the June 3 issue of the journal Science, US researchers analyzed satellite observations of more than 10,000 lakes in Siberia.

　　They found the number of large arctic lakes has decreased from 10,882 to 9,712 between 1973 and 1998. A total of 125 lakes vanished completely while the rest have decreased in surface area.

　　Initial permafrost warming triggers the development of collapsed land formations called "thermokarsts." Additional warming degrades the permafrost further, leading to permafrost "breaching" which may greatly facilitate the drainage of nearby lakes into the subsurface, the authors suggest.

　　The researchers also reported an increase in total lake area innorthern Siberia, suggesting a possible beginning of permafrost degradation in the future.