This incredibly unique place known as the ‘Permafrost Tunnel‘ is one of the most rare attractions in the last frontier. From 1963–1969 this tunnel was actually evacuated for the study of permafrost, geology and ice science. In addition, engineers and various industry workers wanted to perfect mining and construction techniques specific to the permafrost environments that are so abundant in Alaska. Fascinating features are plentiful inside this tunnel, which makes the perfect place for scientists and engineers to study a frozen environment that is over 40,000 years old. If you’ve never heard of this distinctive locale, get ready to be blown away.
The United States Army maintains and operates a unique research facility nearest to Alaska’s ‘Golden Heart City’ of Fairbanks.
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This incredibly unique place is known as the CRREL Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility.
Flicrk - Public Affairs Office Fort Wainwright
CRREL is an acronym for the U.S. Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory and it is a part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center.
Flicrk - Public Affairs Office Fort Wainwright
Although there are not regular tours of this unique place available to the public, you can go online and view a virtual tunnel tour that is incredibly captivating.
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You can actually see permafrost up close and learn about ice wedges and ice lenses and see ancient bones from bison, mammoth and even horses.
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There is a 14,000-year-old bone sticking out of the wall that is likely the tibia of a large mammal.
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Inside the tunnel you’ll notice fans spread out to keep the air flow moving and circulating about.
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Inside the tunnel you will notice many different materials and braces which help keep the area safe, clean and in stable condition.
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The interior grating is to keep the dust down. The engineered structural support looks similar to the inside of a culvert.
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You’ll also find thin strips of ice below the massive brown conglomerate.
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As the accumulation from cold winds blow out of the tunnel, thick frost forms which looks similar to what you’ll find inside a freezer.
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As you walk around inside the tunnel, look up - you’re completely surrounded by ice.
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You’ll even notice little roots hanging from the ceiling that are crusted together with the ice.
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Every direction you look will hold beautiful displays of history and geology.
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Ice wedge formations inside the tunnel show trapped air bubbles and the mixture of sediment which gives the ice an amber color.
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Albeit incredibly cool and interesting, you can’t help but to notice that the tunnel has an eerie and somewhat claustrophobic feel about it. Similar to something that you’d find in a horror movie.
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At the end there is a gate where visitors are not permitted to go any further. I can’t help but wonder if it continues to go down vertically…
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If you thought that tunnel was incredible, learn more by reading about this underground natural wonder in Alaska that’s positively unique. On top of that, this natural phenomenon in Alaska that happens just once a year is absolutely spectacular and sure to give you a major dose of eye candy.
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Flicrk - Public Affairs Office Fort Wainwright
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