The Antarctic Peninsula glaciers have been in widespread retreat over the past 50 years, with most glaciers shrinking rapidly. However, 32 glaciers are showing minor advance. The study suggests that warming is the key cause of this change.
Researchers used advanced supercomputing technology and chemical analysis to reconstruct past sea temperatures, finding that increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere initiated warming. This breakthrough sheds light on how climate may respond to greenhouse gas emissions in the future.
Researchers have discovered that the George VI Ice Shelf experienced a significant retreat around 9,500 years ago, driven by changes in ocean currents. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that rising air temperatures are the primary cause of ice shelf collapse.
Scientists at British Antarctic Survey tracked albatross migration patterns using tiny logging devices, revealing that over half of birds made round-the-world journeys in just 46 days. The study provides crucial information for governments and fisheries commissions to implement measures reducing bird deaths by up to 95%.
Krill populations in Antarctica have declined dramatically, with an 80% drop since the 1970s, primarily due to warming and reduced sea-ice. This decline has significant implications for commercial fisheries and the region's unique wildlife, which rely on krill as a food source.
Researchers detect distinctive fold in the ice, suggesting rapid movement and 'drawn down' towards the bottom of the ice sheet thousands of years ago. The finding implies that the centre of the ice sheet is more mobile than previously thought, requiring rethinking of existing models.
Researchers have found that rock-dwelling micro-organisms can photosynthesise and store carbon just as much as plants in the polar regions. The discovery suggests that even the most inhospitable places may harbor surprising habitats for life, including other planets like Mars.
The oldest Antarctic ice core has been analyzed, revealing eight ice ages and warmer periods over the past 740,000 years. The study's findings suggest that without human influence, the present warm period could last at least another 15,000 years.
Scientists studying an Antarctic 'cod' are gaining insights into how its unique physiology helps it survive in icy waters. By understanding how the fish adapts to environmental change, researchers hope to develop new treatments for human heart conditions.
Researchers found that polar mesospheric clouds at the South Pole are on average 2 miles higher than those in the North, attributed to increased solar radiation. The clouds have brightened by 15% over the last twenty years, indicating a cooling of the mesosphere and potentially linked to long-term global climate change.
Researchers predict a decrease in solar activity's impact on global warming over the next 100 years, with potential returns to current levels by 2200. The study suggests that solar variability will not amplify climate change, but rather subdue its effects.
Charismatic Antarctic creatures are under threat from illegal fishing, with seabirds, fur seals, and penguins facing increased competition for food or being killed by fishing gear. Scientific research has led to a dramatic reduction in the number of Antarctic seabirds killed from longline fisheries over the last five years.