(Information in this section summarised from the article 'The Ice Age')
There are problems with traditional navigation, as compasses point to magnetic pole, which is currently at around 77 degrees North, 102½ degrees West.
At best, periglacial areas are marginal land.
(Information in this section summarised from the article: 'Diamonds and Ice
PERMAFROST THAWING
Worth noting that the permafrost in much of Alaska is currently melting. The permafrost is warming rapidly in both Alaska and western Canada because of increasing temperatures and deeper snow packs. The zone of continuous permafrost has moved over 100km to the North over the last century. Most of the zone of discontinuous permafrost is close to thawing. This has obvious repercussions for buildings and activities in the area. Ground can subside dramatically on thawing - up to 10m or more. Creates a jumble of pits called thermokarst. Already forced the abandonment of a hospital in Kotzebue, school in Kipnuk and rebuilding of roads in Fairbanks, Alaska and airport runway at Deadhorse.
Also the thawing releases large quantities of carbon dioxide and methane, which are greenhouse gases, and add to the problems of warming temperatures.
Also worth putting the word 'Yakutsk' into the BBC News search.
There has recently been an article in 'The Guardian' on the plan to relocate people away from Siberia.
Up to 600 000 people are due to be moved from remote parts of Siberia. Large parts of this area have decayed since the collapse of Communism. Many towns relied on mining. Without subsidies, families have had to endure poverty, and the extreme cold. Areas include Yakutia, Kamchatka and Chukotka. Inhabitants would be resettled. A budget of £18 million has been allocated for 2003-4.
A pilot project has been tried in the nickel town of Norilsk. Norilsk began as one of Stalin's gulags. It is believed to be Russia's most polluted town.