Permafrost and the active layer

As we discussed in class, permafrost is soil that is at or below freezing for two years or more.   What happens when the sun shines on permafrost?  Some of the soil on the top will thaw.  This thawed layer is the active layer.  To see what happens during the year in the active layer, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has a great animation.   What do you think the active layer will look like in Churchill?  How does the latitude of Churchill compare with Northern Alaska?  What happens in the active layer?