Permafrost: a Pandora's box?

As the earth continues to warm up, the permafrost which dominates the Russian domain will thaw. As it melts, more carbon dioxide will be released into the atmosphere, which will in turn contribute even more to heating up the earth. In addition to this vicious cycle, the melting of permafrost can free some ancient diseases from a deep freeze. These infectious microbes will reemerge from obsolescence to existence. Actually, this is happening already.

For more, check out this article on the Scientific American.