The Vault to protect and preserve the world’s most important seeds from catastrophe.

Dooms Day Vault

I read recently about the Doomsday Vault inaugurated in Longyearbyen, Norway in February. My first thought was DOOMSDAY??? What is it we don’t know?

Its purpose is to provide mankind with a collection of food in the event of a global catastrophe by safe keeping samples of the world’s most important seeds. It has been carved into the permafrost of a remote Arctic mountain, a reported 620 miles from the North Pole. Norway has footed the bill of six million euro for building the vault.

Actually, it is not the first or only seed vault. There are several around the world with the United States having one in Ft. Collins, Colorado, which coincidently is very near the home that is being sold in the essay contest. The term doomsday was first referenced by a journalist. Having seed vaults are a security measure being taken as a precaution against a regional or global catastrophe.

Some serious planning has gone into this venture. From the isolated location on the Svalbard Islands to its harsh permafrost conditions, it is said to be able to withstand a nuclear missile attack, the melting of the ice caps, and earthquakes. Ironically, the largest earthquake in Norway’s history was recorded near the islands in February.

It is amazing to me that we have scientists studying and planning for such things that help secure our future. And thanks go to our Norway friends for being such gracious hosts : )