The unexpected meltdown of the permafrost around the vicinity of the Arctic Doomsday Vault caused the flooding of the entrance hall of the Svalbard Seed Vault in Norway. The meltwater that cascaded at the entrance of the vault froze solid hindering the water infiltration of the seeds' encasements.
The Arctic Doomsday Vault is not to be opened for generations and could operate on its own. The tragedy that struck the seed preservation chamber ensued doubts that it is supposed to protect the preserved seeds from climate change in the event disaster strikes. But temperature spikes, due to climate change, threatened the very preservation of mankind's survival.
According to the spokeswoman for the Norwegian Government who owns the Arctic Doomsday Vault, Hege Njaa Aschim, they were not expecting the permafrost to melt as the season was the time when there is the abundance of ice and snow. She further added that the seed vault could operate on its own, but after the flooding incident, the watch on the chambers are on 24/7.
Aschim further elaborates that the responsibility of preserving the seeds survival for the future lies in their hands. They are set to find ways and means to improve the state of the Doomsday Vault. The managers of the facility had installed water pumps in case flood waters enter the domains and are working to make the tunnel entrance waterproof, reports The Independent.
The Norwegian Construction Company Statsbygg is responsible for building the facility. The Arctic Doomsday Vault thought to be impenetrable is now being outlined for further technical improvements. The walls and entrance are being built waterproof and channels are designed for flowing water in case it succeeds to penetrate the interiors again, reports Engadget.
Co-creator of the Arctic Doomsday Vault, Cary Fowler, the seeds will be safe in case of a worst case scenario happens. He added that the preserved food sources will still be accessible when the dreaded time comes. The vault managers are not taking any chances.
