The Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) was initiated by the International Permafrost Association (IPA) to organize and manage a global network of permafrost observatories for detecting, monitoring, and predicting climate change. The network, authorized under the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) and its associated organizations, consists of two observational components: the active layer (the surface layer that freezes and thaws annually) and the thermal state of the underlying permafrost.

This web site provides general information on the GTN-P and details of the permafrost thermal monitoring component. The second component of the GTN-P is the ongoing Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) network which was established in 1990 to monitor changes in active layer thickness and temperature. Further information on the CALM component can be found on the CALM web site. The European Community project, Permafrost and Climate in Europe (PACE), contributes to the GTN-P and plans to monitor nine boreholes in mountain permafrost.

• more on GTN-P