Polygonal-shaped lands Alaska observatory (IMAGE) DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory Caption Polygonal-shaped lands are typical in the Barrow Environmental Observatory near Utqiaġvik, Alaska. ORNL scientists are exploring the importance of the iron cycle on emissions of greenhouse gas from these hydrologically dynamic lands as the permafrost thaws. Credit David Graham, ORNL/U.S. Dept. of Energy Usage Restrictions cite photo credit License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.