ClimateAugust 1, 2026

gigaton

GIG-uh-tun

Definition

A unit of mass equal to one billion metric tons, commonly used to measure large quantities of carbon emissions or climate-related environmental data.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of the Greek-derived prefix 'giga-', meaning a factor of one billion, and the noun 'ton', a unit of weight.

In the news

The article uses the term to quantify the immense scale of organic carbon stored in Arctic permafrost and marine sediments, providing a concrete metric for climate modeling. It is essential here for understanding the sheer magnitude of potential environmental impact compared to annual flow rates.

Arctic Permafrost Carbon: Ocean, Not Atmosphere? Climate Threat Landscape Shifts : 정치/사회 : JKN

Read the full article ↗

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