The City Built on Permafrost

Nadym is a Russian city that literally sits on top of frozen ground. It serves as a vital hub for natural gas extraction despite being located in one of the most extreme climates on Earth.

Because the ground is permafrost, builders had to innovate to prevent buildings from sinking as the earth thaws. Many structures are raised on steel stilts to allow cold air to circulate underneath and keep the foundation frozen. This harsh environment is home to thousands who endure brutal winters for the sake of energy resources. It is a striking example of human ingenuity surviving in the frozen arctic wilderness.