Further south than permafrost (ground that remains frozen year-round) was believed to still exist lies a circular permafrost plateau that has remained despite decades of atmospheric warming. This 100-meter diameter permafrost “donut,” as PhD candidate Joel Eklof and his field team affectionately call it, began to rapidly disappear in 2020 at rates rarely seen by the scientific community. At this talk, Joel will explain why the donut is disappearing, why disappearing donuts affect us all, and what this means for the future of the permafrost zone.

Joel Eklof (he/him) is a Ph.D. candidate in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Washington. Joel received a BS in physics from the University of Puget Sound and a MS in civil engineering from the University of Washington before starting his current Ph.D. project focused on permafrost thaw and accompanying wetland carbon release in Alaska. Joel can generally be found probing permafrost or teaching science in Alaska, getting muddy on a bike in Swan Creek Park, or playing “Match My Pitch” with his choir director wife. If you have too much time on your hands, ask him about waffle recipes, field safety, or why he loves the city of Tacoma.

Grit City Think & Drink brings scholars and experts from various disciplines face-to-face with the public in a comfortable, lively atmosphere, either virtually or in person. The evening begins with a presentation or lecture (often interactive) followed by giveaways and a moderated Q&A. Grit City Think & Drink is free to the public and open to all ages.