The study reveals that barrier islands cluster along tectonically calm coasts, with stable coasts producing wide, low relief areas conducive to island formation. The rate of sea level rise is critical in shaping island fate, with rapid rise leading to erosion and disappearance.
A new review suggests that conservation efforts should focus on protecting vulnerable species and habitats rather than those with lower extinction risk. The proposed 'vulnerability assessment' would use a wider range of data to provide a more accurate picture of which species are most at risk.
The 2011 Arctic sea ice extent was the lowest maximum extent of 5,650,000 square miles since satellite record keeping began in 1979. Climate scientists believe shrinking sea ice is tied to warming temperatures and human-produced greenhouse gases.
A team of scientists discovered that shallow-water shrimp can tolerate extreme pressure and temperature conditions similar to those found in the deep sea. The study used the variable shrimp as a model species, finding it could withstand pressures beyond what would be expected in shallow water.
The study found that otters are more common in areas with moderate human impact, where water quality has improved and prey species like fish and crayfish are abundant. The researchers suggest conserving aquatic habitats to encourage greater distribution of the species.
Researchers have discovered four new deep-sea vents in the Southern Ocean, challenging previous assumptions about their distribution and evolution. The vents, found near the South Sandwich Islands, support unique microbial communities and are part of a larger project to study ocean chemistry and life diversity.
At Newcastle University, a team led by Professor Selina Stead is investigating the potential of sea cucumbers as natural cleaners on fish farms, reducing waste's impact on ocean floors. The project aims to develop organic farming methods for both sea cucumber food and eco-friendly aquaculture.
A major grant award of £3.3 million has been secured by a Southampton-led consortium project to study past and possible future sea-level rise. The researchers aim to obtain a better picture of how much and how quickly sea level may rise as a result of global warming.
A new study projects that mountain glacier melt will contribute up to 12 centimeters to global sea-level increases by 2100. Glaciers in Arctic Canada and Alaska are expected to be the largest contributors.
Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that absolute sea level in Chesapeake Bay is rising at a rate of about 1.8 millimeters per year, slower than the global average. However, local subsidence rates are significantly higher, adding up to a growing threat of coastal flooding and erosion.
A joint US-Swedish expedition will study the Amundsen Sea, one of Antarctica's least-explored bodies, to gauge climate change effects. The research aims to determine nutrient availability, phytoplankton blooms, and sea-ice coverage.
Researchers found that colder temperatures in the Bering Sea led to an increase in larger zooplankton, such as copepods and krill, which pollock prefer to eat. This shift may impact the growth and survival of younger pollock fish.
Researchers reconstructed global sea level history over the last 21 thousand years using data from 400 high-quality markers. The study found a gradual rise of 1m/century interrupted by two periods with rapid 'jumps' of up to 2.5m/century, coinciding with climate warming and cooling events.
Global coastal wetlands are likely to disappear near the end of the 21st century, with limited sediment supplies and tidal ranges making them vulnerable. Wetlands with higher sediment availability may survive under slow sea-level rise projections.
Sea levels around Falkland Islands rose by 0.75mm/year between 1842 and early 1980s, but accelerated to 2.5mm/year since 1992, consistent with global warming observations
Scientists are struggling to explain the recent increase in Antarctic sea ice extent, with a new study suggesting that ozone depletion is not the primary cause. Meanwhile, researchers have also gained new insights into lunar topography using high-resolution data from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter. Additionally, a study on Earth's r...
The Arctic sea ice cover reached its minimum extent for the year in September, marking the third-lowest recorded since satellites started measuring sea ice extent in 1979. The 2010 minimum ice extent is significantly below the long-term average and outside natural climate variability.
International research suggests that sea levels will be 30-70 centimeters higher by 2100 even with geo-engineering efforts. However, large-scale actions like sulfur dioxide injections or mirror orbits pose significant challenges. Bioenergy with carbon storage (BECS) appears to be a more desirable option.
Researchers find that increasing Antarctic sea ice extent is due to stabilization of the upper ocean by increased precipitation, which reduces melting from both above and below. Climate models predict faster melting in the future, leading to a potential decrease in sea ice extent.
Tropical Storm Dianmu made a quick track over South Korea and entered the Sea of Japan, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing its infrared image. The storm is transitioning into an extra-tropical storm due to increasing vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.
A new study led by University of Colorado at Boulder indicates that rising sea levels in the Indian Ocean are partly caused by human-induced climate warming, threatening coastal areas and islands. The study suggests that the Indo-Pacific warm pool is amplifying regional sea rise changes, with potential far-reaching impacts on global cl...
Scientists have monitored rapid faunal changes in a deep-sea community off Ireland's coast, where sea cucumber populations surged in abundance. Climate-driven fluctuations in organic matter supply and nutrient quality may have triggered these events.
Scientists have discovered a 300m high ridge on the sea floor beneath Pine Island Glacier, causing it to accelerate its flow into the sea. The glacier's thinning ice allows warm ocean water to melt the underside, contributing nearly 10% of global sea level rise.
Researchers have discovered a new parasite, Edwardsiella, living on the American comb jellyfish that causes skin irritation in humans. The parasite's larvae may be problematic for Swedish sea bathers during late summer beach season.
A new study from the University of Gothenburg reveals that climate change could lead to a decrease in river runoff and an increase in salinity in the Baltic Sea. This change could have significant consequences for the region's sensitive ecosystem, which relies on a delicate balance between salt and fresh water.
Scientists launch Waves, Aerosols and Gas Exchange Study (WAGES) to investigate air-sea gas exchange and its impact on climate. The two-year project uses the Royal Research Ship James Clark Ross to collect continuous measurements of carbon dioxide, sea-spray aerosol, heat, moisture, and momentum.
Scientists have discovered that changes in floating ice are causing sea levels to rise, resulting in a 2.6% increase of global sea levels. The study found that the loss of floating ice amounts to a sea level rise of 49 micrometers per year.
A recent study published in Nature found that rapidly melting sea ice is a major cause of warming in the Arctic. The research, conducted by the University of Melbourne, discovered a positive feedback loop between sea ice melting and atmospheric warming, leading to increased warming rates in the region.
Researchers found that sea urchins prey on crinoids, a type of marine animal known as sea lilies, and suggested that these interactions drove the development of motility in sea lilies. The study, published in PNAS, provides evidence for an evolutionary arms race between predators and prey dating back over 200 million years.
Scientists have developed a new model using sea squirts to test anti-Alzheimer's drugs, which could lead to breakthroughs in disease treatment. The study found that dosing sea squirt tadpoles with a mutant protein resulted in aggressive plaque development and behavioral defects, which were reversed by an experimental drug.
Scientists have identified over 6,000 unique species on the sea-floor, with many adapting to changing environmental conditions. Krill populations are reducing due to decreasing sea-ice cover, shifting the food web balance and affecting penguins that breed on the ice.
Researchers have found evidence of a 1-meter high sea level stand around 81,000 years ago, contradicting previous estimates of low levels. This finding highlights the importance of natural sea level fluctuations and their potential impact on coastal populations.
A device created by UIC geoscientists simulates extreme sea floor conditions in a lab chamber, allowing scientists to examine samples under harsh conditions using X-ray diffraction. The device can simulate deep-sea pressure and temperatures, enabling the study of mineral formation, clay mineralogy, and hydrothermal systems.
The Sea Node system successfully completed the Trident Warrior 2009 exercise, showcasing its ability to improve situational awareness and reduce operator workload. The system provides collaborative applications for geo-locating coastal radars and enhances existing AN/SSX-1 Electronic Support systems.
A long-term study found polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea are shifting their habitat use from sea ice to land and open water, increasing human-bear interactions. The study, conducted between 1979 and 2005, shows a significant increase in bear sightings on land and in open water.
Scientists find evidence that Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas may experience seasonally ice-free conditions and much warmer temperatures in the future. USGS research suggests that current climate models underestimate sea ice loss, with potential consequences including accelerated coastal erosion and impacts on polar bears and seals.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals the northern Alaska coastline is eroding up to one-third the length of a football field annually. The conditions are caused by a combination of declining sea ice, warming seawater, and increased wave activity, which are leading to the steady retreat of bluffs along the Beaufort Sea.
Researchers found significant spatial variations in land movement along the US Atlantic coast, with mid-Atlantic regions subsiding twice as much as northern and southern areas. Coastal subsidence enhances sea-level rise, leading to shoreline erosion and loss of wetlands.
Researchers employed a novel combination of geological and model reconstructions to address spatial variations in sea-level history along the east coast of England. Sediment compaction explained the variations in sea-level observations, revealing striking correlations to the thickness of overlying sediment.
The Sea Education Association (SEA) is conducting an expedition to measure plastic marine debris in the North Atlantic Ocean. The trip will explore an area southeast of Bermuda, where large concentrations of plastic debris have been observed, similar to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Researchers found that 20th-century sea-level rise in North Carolina is three times higher than the rate of sea-level rise during the last 500 years. The acceleration appears consistent with other studies from the Atlantic coast, suggesting a possible link to human-induced climate change.
A new study by University of Southampton researchers found that sea levels have been rising across the south coast of England, substantially increasing the risk of flooding during storms. The team's data set covers over 150 years of historic sea level change, revealing a steady rise of 1.2-2.2 mm per year.
A new coastland map produced by Durham University scientists charts the post Ice-Age tilt of the UK and Ireland, revealing areas at high risk of sea-level rises. The map helps local authorities target resources to areas where sea level rises will be greatest, saving money on defenses.
Despite a slight recovery in summer Arctic sea ice in 2009, the extent remains below previous years and on a trend leading to ice-free Arctic summers. Younger, thinner ice accounts for most of the cover, leaving it vulnerable to melt in coming summers.
The Arctic sea ice cover has reached its minimum extent for 2009, the third-lowest recorded since satellite measurements began in 1979. The September minimum extent is significantly below the long-term average and well outside natural climate variability, attributed to human-produced greenhouse gases.
Scientists Ron Kwok and Drew Rothrock extend Arctic sea ice record by combining ICESat satellite data with U.S. Navy submarine records, revealing a 53% decline in sea ice thickness since 1980. The study provides insights into the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and global climate.
Researchers discovered that Yellow-lipped Sea Kraits deceive predators by twisting their tails to resemble a second head, complete with venom. This false-head behaviour is an overlooked anti-predator adaptation that helps sea snakes survive in the ocean.
Researchers discovered prominent faults beneath the Salton Sea that transfer tectonic strain away from the San Andreas Fault. This new understanding of the fault system could inform predictions of future earthquakes along the southern San Andreas Fault.
Researchers at University of Bristol predict sea level rise will be between 7-82 cm by end of century, similar to IPCC projections. The new model uses fossil coral data and temperature records from ice-core measurements to achieve accurate predictions.
A study published in Nature finds that sea ice formed in the Arctic before it did in Antarctica, contradicting scientific expectation. The researchers analyzed oceanic sediment cores and fossilized diatoms to conclude that episodic sea ice formation began around 47.5 million years ago.
Researchers have reconstructed sea ice extent from 13th century to present using historical records and climate curves. The findings show a significant decrease in sea ice coverage since the start of the 20th century, with some record-breaking low levels in recent years.
A new record reveals a systematic equilibrium relationship between global temperature and CO2 concentrations and sea-level changes over the last five glacial cycles. This suggests that even stabilisation at today's CO2 levels may commit us to sea-level rise, potentially exceeding long-term projections.
A recent study published in Hydrological Processes reveals that the Greenland ice sheet is a major contributor to sea-level rise, accounting for nearly 25% of global sea-rise in the past 13 years. The study also shows that seas are rising at a rate of over 3 millimeters per year, more than 50% faster than the average for the 20th century.
Researchers at UBC found that warmer, more acidic waters enable Purple Ochre Sea Stars to grow twice as fast as normal over 10 weeks. This discovery complicates current assumptions about climate change's impact on marine species.
Research suggests that moderate to high Greenland ice melt rates could drive 4-12 inches of additional water towards heavily populated areas in the northeastern US and Canada, on top of average global sea level rise. This could lead to significant impacts on the northeast US coast by 2100.
Scientists estimate that the collapse of West Antarctica's ice sheet would raise global sea levels by 3.3 meters, not five or six as previously thought. The region's unique below-sea level topography makes it more prone to instability.
A new study found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet's collapse would raise global sea levels by only 3.3 meters, not the previously estimated 5-6 meters, with US coastal areas experiencing a 25% increase in sea level rise, posing significant threats to cities like New York and San Francisco.
Researchers found that 80% of tested sea otters in Washington State had morbillivirus and 60% had Toxoplasma, with implications for the ecosystem's balance. The study highlights the need to monitor the health of the state's otter population, as they are 'sentinels' for environmental problems.
Scientists capture the most comprehensive set of sonar images of Antarctica's seafloor around the Amundsen Sea embayment, providing new insights into past ice flow and potential future sea-level rise. The findings indicate that the controlling mechanisms of the Antarctic ice sheet are more complex than previously thought.
Researchers from British Antarctic Survey and NASA found that the ozone hole has strengthened surface winds around Antarctica, leading to greater flow of cold air over the Ross Sea. This resulted in a small increase in sea ice extent in West Antarctica, contrary to the expected effects of greenhouse gas increases.