Researchers found Arctic winter ice grew less than half as much as normal due to increased ocean heat from the interior. This weakening of the halocline barrier allows for more efficient mixing between warmer and colder waters, limiting sea ice growth.
Research reveals complex changes in the Arctic Ocean driven by anomalous influxes of oceanic water from lower-latitude oceans. This process, known as borealization, affects physical, chemical, and biological communities in distinct ways.
Alaska's chinook salmon populations are declining due to climate-driven changes in their freshwater habitats. Productivity decreased when stream temperatures rose above 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and heavy rains led to lower spawn production.
Researchers at University of Alaska Fairbanks found that seismic surveys can cause long-lasting scars on the tundra, affecting its hydrology and habitat. The study emphasizes the need for more data on seismic exploration impacts and better weather records to minimize damage in the Arctic Refuge.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks-led research team developed a method using satellite images and synthetic aperture radar to determine methane release from northern lakes. The technique found correlations between frozen lake conditions and methane production.
A new species of thalattosaur, Gunakadeit joseeae, has been discovered in Southeast Alaska, providing insights into the marine reptile's family tree. The fossil, which is the most complete thalattosaur ever found in North America, dates back over 200 million years.
The Permafrost Discovery Gateway provides a detailed picture of Arctic change, combining satellite data with air temperature and precipitation maps. The platform helps inform policies and management in the Arctic by offering a user-friendly tool to explore rapid climate changes.
Terry Chapin, a University of Alaska Fairbanks professor emeritus, has been awarded the 2019 Volvo Environment Prize for his groundbreaking work on Earth stewardship. His research focuses on the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human impact on the environment.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks study tested 297 subsistence-caught fish from Kotzebue Sound and found average mercury levels safe for unrestricted consumption. Only four individual fish exceeded the
A team of UAF researchers will spend a year on board the Polarstern, studying the intersection of ocean, sea ice, and atmosphere in the Arctic. They aim to understand why the Arctic is warming faster than any other region on the planet.
Scientists have confirmed that STEVE, a celestial phenomenon, has distinct differences from aurora. Its pinkish mauve color and 'picket fence' emissions set it apart. Researchers are now focused on understanding what causes STEVE and its potential impact on our infrastructure.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition has linked specific chemical signatures in human hair to a diet of traditional Yup'ik foods. The researchers found that changes in nitrogen isotope ratios along the hair strand correlated with increased consumption of traditional foods like fish and marine mammals.
Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will study the metabolic changes in hibernating animals to develop new treatments for human health problems. The five-year grant will support research into hibernation-inspired therapies for conditions like muscle loss, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
A new study predicts that Greenland's ice sheet could lose up to 25% of its ice by 3000, contributing up to 6.5 feet of sea level rise if greenhouse gas emissions are cut significantly.
A comprehensive review of global-scale glacier models reveals that smaller glaciers worldwide are projected to lose significant mass by 2100. This could lead to almost 10 inches of sea level rise globally, surpassing the impact of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.
A new study combines physical and biological climate indicators to show that Arctic air temperatures are driving major changes in the region's systems. The research highlights the interconnectedness of various components, including sea ice, permafrost, and ecosystems.
Researchers warn that acidification of the Southern Ocean will disrupt marine food webs due to a layer of corrosive water forming below the surface. The new shallow horizon would reduce viable pteropod habitat, impacting global fisheries and ocean ecosystems.
A newly discovered species of marsupial, Unnuakomys hutchisoni, lived in Alaska's Arctic during the late Cretaceous Period, adding to the diversity of ancient life. The tiny animal, about thumb-sized, survived on insects and plants, and was found among a unique variety of dinosaurs and other animals.
A new study warns that 70% of current Arctic infrastructure is at risk from thawing permafrost within the next 30 years. The projected impacts could lead to major ecosystem disruption and adverse effects on energy supplies, national security, and economic activity.
A 9,000-year-old child's tooth has revealed insights into Alaska's ancient people, their genetic makeup and diets. The tooth, linked to the Ancient Beringian lineage, indicates that these groups remained in Alaska for thousands of years after migrating across the Bering Land Bridge.
A new paper warns of the shortcomings of Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) systems for fisheries, which can discourage development of equitable alternatives. ITQs regulate fisheries access by dividing up total catch limits among individual quota owners, leading to negative consequences for small-scale fisheries and marginalized groups.
A new study finds that abrupt thawing of permafrost beneath thermokarst lakes can release significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including methane and carbon, potentially doubling the release from terrestrial landscapes by the 2050s. This could lead to a significant feedback effect on climate change.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of accelerating activity before a 2016 earthquake in central Alaska. The study found evidence for very low-frequency earthquakes, which do not typically exhibit the usual P and S waves associated with typical earthquakes.
A new study published in PNAS suggests that controlling greenhouse gas emissions could substantially reduce the consequences of permafrost thawing, but failing to do so would result in significant carbon releases. The research found that even with low emission scenarios, permafrost loss and soil carbon changes are still substantial.
A new population of ancient Native Americans has been identified through genetic analysis of a 6-week-old infant found in an Interior Alaska archaeological site. The Ancient Beringians are believed to have split from East Asians around 35,000 years ago and lived in the Far North for thousands of years.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that the Arctic warmed more than six times the global average during the 'global warming hiatus' from 1998 to 2012. The research uses improved datasets and methods to estimate average global temperatures, showing that the rate of global warming continued to rise at 0.112C per decade.
The 2017 Climate Science Special Report details past, current and projected changes to the climate, including increased atmospheric and ocean temperatures, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels. Alaska climatologist John Walsh is a contributing author and can provide insights on recent U.S. climate change in the global context.
University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers are collecting storm data from three erosion-plagued villages in Northwest Alaska. The goal is to improve predictions of severe winter storms and their potential impact on these communities.
A new study reveals how rabies induces frenzied behavior in animals by binding to and inhibiting brain receptors, leading to the transmission of the disease. The research provides a molecular mechanism for this behavior change, shedding light on why rabies is devastating in poor, rural regions.
A 30-year forest regeneration experiment in Interior Alaska shows that planting white spruce seedlings is the most effective method to produce a spruce-dominated stand, with broadcast seeding as the next best option. The study's findings provide valuable insights for forest landowners and reforestation practices.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks study reveals that shifting sediments drive the cyclic nature of tidewater glaciers in temperate climates. The model also shows that these glaciers don't need warming periods to trigger their retreats.
Small mountain glaciers play a significant role in recharging vital aquifers and keeping rivers flowing during the winter. A new study found that these glaciers contribute up to 66% of annual flow in mountain streams, highlighting their importance in maintaining ecosystem processes.
A network of microscopic crystals in magma can act like guard rails to channel gas out, lessening internal pressure and reducing explosiveness. The discovery challenges the prevailing assumption that silica content is the major driver of gas escape.
The UAF Institute of Arctic Biology and College of Rural and Community Development received a five-year, $4.25 million grant to establish the Alaska Native Collaborative Hub for Research Resilience. This hub will help communities adopt culturally relevant strategies to prevent suicides.
A research team solved the century-old mystery of Blood Falls by using radar technology to detect brine feeding the famous red waterfall. They discovered that liquid water can persist inside extremely cold glaciers, challenging previous thought on this phenomenon.
A recent study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals that rising moisture levels may have contributed to the extinction of giant herbivores approximately 10,000 years ago. Researchers analyzed carbon and nitrogen isotopes in ancient animal bones to infer climate conditions and dietary habits of the megafauna.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks study found that warmer Atlantic water is a significant contributor to Arctic sea ice loss. Increased mixing in the Eastern Eurasian Basin allows heat from the warmer water to reach the surface, causing sea ice to melt.
Paleontologists discover dinosaur bones and trackways in Denali National Park, providing new insights into the region's ancient ecosystem. The finds are significant as they confirm the presence of dinosaur fossils in the area, supporting the hypothesis that a distinct polar fauna existed during the Late Cretaceous Period.
A new mapping project identifies 20% of the globe's northern permafrost region as potential thermokarst landscape, storing twice as much carbon as currently in the atmosphere. Scientists can use the map to estimate greenhouse gas emissions and test assumptions about permafrost thaw.
A team of researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks made a groundbreaking discovery after analyzing stable isotopes and lipid residues at prehistoric hearths along the Tanana River. The study found that early Alaskans' diets were more complex than previously thought, with salmon and freshwater fish playing a prominent role.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks-led study measures methane release from Arctic permafrost, finding nearly no sign that it has begun, despite projections of large emissions in the future. The research suggests current rates are still below expected levels, but warn of a significant threat to global carbon levels.
The Alaska Native and American Indian Peoples Health Disparities Research Center will address significant health gaps in these communities. It provides training, research opportunities and project funds to scientists working with indigenous people.
Researchers link the extinction of isolated Alaskan mammoths to a lack of access to fresh water and rising sea levels. Analysis of sediment cores reveals declining lake levels and water quality leading up to the extinction event.
Deciduous trees absorb a large amount of snowmelt water, equating to 17-20 billion cubic meters per year, with potential to create favorable conditions for thunderstorms. The study's findings have critical implications for understanding boreal forest hydrology and ecology.
Researchers discovered novel adaptations in hibernating animals that may help protect organs during surgeries and cardiac arrests. By studying Arctic ground squirrels' ability to survive repeated 'cardiac arrests,' scientists identified key mechanisms for metabolic flexibility, which could lead to improved survival rates and recovery.
Dr. Andrea Ferrante is studying the molecular processes governing vaccine efficacy with a $1.6 million grant. Her goal is to create safer and more effective vaccines by understanding the role of dendritic cells in triggering an immune response.
A new film series by Sarah Betcher explores Alaskan indigenous uses of wild plants for food, medicine and construction materials. The 'Ties to Alaska's Wild Plants' project documents Iñupiat traditions and aims to preserve traditional knowledge in the face of climate change.
A new study finds that ice wedge degradation is widespread throughout the Arctic, altering ground topography and creating connective drainage systems. This leads to increased runoff and drying of the landscape, with significant implications for the region's hydrology.
Researchers used computer models and field data to accurately depict current flow conditions in Greenland's topographically complex ice sheet. The study aims to improve knowledge of subglacial topography and predict potential effects on sea levels from a melting ice sheet.
New projections suggest the mean annual ground temperature at the top of permafrost on the North Slope has risen from 17.6 degrees Fahrenheit in 1988 to 28.5 F now, and is expected to reach 32 F by 2100, leading to substantial thawing in certain areas and widespread instability beneath infrastructure.