Ice Melt
Articles tagged with Ice Melt
Are icebergs less prone to melting in clusters?
Researchers studied how meltwater from one iceberg impacts its neighbor's melting rate. They found that the gap between icebergs determines their final shape and melt rate., Iceberg clusters may be less prone to melting than isolated icebergs due to the protective effect of meltwater.
Tiny particles in Arctic ponds may play role in cloud formation, climate change
Researchers from Colorado State University found that tiny particles bubbling up from melting sea ice in the Arctic sky can create clouds, providing a platform for water vapor to freeze onto. This discovery sheds light on why Arctic clouds behave differently and could help improve weather modeling and climate change predictions.
Laser-etched ‘synthetic skin’ defies -50°c and weak sunlight to eliminate extreme ice
Researchers have created a dark, rubbery film that combines physical textures with light-absorbing nanotubes to keep surfaces ice-free at -50 °C. The film operates using a two-tier defense mechanism, providing both passive and active anti-de-icing capabilities.
Glacial lakes are growing rapidly in Alaska, and research shows where growth will continue
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
New study identifies sequence of critical thresholds for Antarctic ice basins
Ocean current and seabed shape influence warm water circulation under ice shelves
Scientists at the University of East Anglia used an autonomous underwater vehicle to survey beneath the Dotson Ice Shelf, finding that the shape of the seabed is more important than current speed in influencing warm water circulation. This leads to melting at the underside of the ice shelf, contributing to sea level rise.
Greenland shrinks slightly and is slowly drifting northwest
New research reveals Greenland is shrinking slightly, but expanding in some regions, due to accelerated melting and prehistoric ice mass movements. The island's horizontal movements are being pulled in different directions, with areas of expansion and contraction observed.
A 'Rosetta Stone' for molecular systems
A new mathematical framework, STIV, can predict larger-scale effects like proteins unfolding and crystals forming without costly simulations or experiments. The framework solves a 40-year-old problem in phase-field modeling, allowing for the design of smarter medicines and materials.
To prevent rapid sea-level rise, reduce emissions now
A new Cornell University study models impacts of different emissions trajectories, finding that delayed reductions substantially reduce chances of avoiding thresholds for sea-level rise. The study estimates a 50% probability of reaching a 0.4-meter sea-level rise threshold by 2050 if emissions aren't reduced by 2050.
Ice dissolves iron faster than liquid water
In a new study, researchers from Umeå University found that ice at minus ten degrees Celsius releases more iron from common minerals than liquid water at four degrees Celsius. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles increase dissolution, releasing organic compounds and fuelling further chemical reactions.
The tipping of the last resilient glaciers
Researchers studying Tajikistan's Kyzylsu Glacier found that the glacier likely reached its tipping point in 2018, with decreasing snowfall causing it to melt. The study uses computational models driven by new local observations and demonstrates the importance of densifying observational data in understanding anomalous glacier behavior.
PolyU researchers use novel satellite laser ranging technique to reveal accelerated global average sea-level rise with 90 mm surge over past 30 years
Researchers at PolyU have developed a novel technique to measure global ocean mass change, revealing a 90 mm surge in sea-level rise over the past 30 years. The study attributes this acceleration to increased ocean mass and land ice melt, particularly in Greenland.
Sea-level projections from the 1990s were spot on, Tulane study says
A new study published in Earth's Future journal reveals that sea-level projections from the 1990s were remarkably accurate, with global sea-level rise averaging about one eighth of an inch per year. The researchers compared these projections with recent satellite measurements and found a remarkable match.
Researchers mimic a mystery of nature to make ice move on its own
Scientists at Virginia Tech mimic the natural movement of boulders on Racetrack Playa by creating a metal surface with asymmetric grooves that propel melting ice. The discovery has potential applications in rapid defrosting and energy harvesting.
Lake on the 79°N Glacier is splitting the ice – leaving permanent changes
A lake formed in 1995 and has repeatedly drained through channels and cracks, causing massive amounts of fresh water to reach the glacier tongue. Researchers found extensive triangular fracture fields with cracks that are shaped differently from all previous lake drainages.
‘Cryosphere meltdown’ will impact Arctic marine carbon cycles and ecosystems, new study warns
A new study found that climate change may undermine the capacity of Arctic fjords to serve as effective carbon sinks, leading to a decline in sequestration carbon. Rapid changes are transforming fjord ecosystems, with phytoplankton communities shifting due to melting ice and warmer waters.
Snapshot of Antarctica’s past helps predict future climate
Researchers studied Aurora Subglacial Basin's subglacial hydrology, finding dynamic rivers that change over time. This new insight may alter predictions of rising sea levels and the role of subglacial water in ice dynamics.
Scientists unite to save the planet’s glaciers
An international team of glacier scientists has formed the Glacier Stewardship Program to address the challenges of glacier loss. The program aims to explore new technical approaches, mitigate impacts on communities, and establish a biobank to save glacier biodiversity.
Intense atmospheric rivers can replenish some of the Greenland Ice Sheet’s lost ice
A single storm delivered over 16 billion tons of snow to Greenland, offsetting the sheet's annual ice loss and delaying summer melt. The study found that under right conditions, atmospheric rivers might not be all bad news for the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Melting glaciers increase loss of freshwater resources and rise global sea levels
Global glacier mass loss has increased by 36% since 2000, with 6,542 billion tons lost between 2000 and 2023. This results in an 18 mm annual contribution to global sea-level rise, making glaciers the second-largest contributor after ocean warming.
Resilient algae may speed up Greenland ice melt
Researchers discovered that tiny algae on glacier ice can grow rapidly despite limited nutrients, darkening the surface and accelerating melting. This finding has significant implications for predicting climate change, as it highlights a potential positive feedback loop between warming and ice melt.
Resilient algae may speed up Greenland ice melt
New research reveals that ice algae can store phosphorus, enabling them to colonize larger areas of the ice sheet. This could lead to faster melting as darkened ice loses its reflectivity.
More, bigger crevasses open up in Greenland ice sheet, threatening increased sea level rise
A new study reveals that Greenland's ice sheet has experienced a significant increase in crevasses over the past five years, equivalent to adding a crack the size of the Great Pyramid of Giza every few days. The findings suggest a potential feedback loop that accelerates ice loss from the glacier, ultimately raising sea levels.
Study links climate change and earthquake frequency
A recent Colorado State University study demonstrates that climate change can affect earthquake frequency, as glaciers recede and slip along faults increases. This suggests that earthquake activity could increase as glaciers melt, impacting hazard assessment and seismology.
Loss of lake ice has wide-ranging environmental and societal consequences
The world's freshwater lakes are freezing over for shorter periods due to climate change, affecting more than a billion people worldwide. Changes in ice duration have major implications for human safety, water quality, biodiversity, and global nutrient cycles.
New discovery about ice layer formation in ice sheets can improve sea level rise predictions
Researchers have found a new mechanism for the formation of impermeable horizontal ice layers below the surface of ice sheets, which could improve estimates of sea level rise. This process is critical for determining the contribution of ice sheet meltwater to sea level rise.
Study finds highest prediction of sea-level rise unlikely
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
Retreat of tropical glaciers foreshadows changing climate's effect on the global ice
Researchers found remarkably low concentrations of beryllium-10 and carbon-14 in glacier bedrock, suggesting melting ice exposed bedrock for the first time recently. This suggests tropical glaciers are shrinking beyond what's been seen in recent geologic past, foreshadowing climate's effect on global ice.
Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn
Warm seawater is pumping underneath Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, causing ice to melt intensely and leading to devastating sea level rise. Researchers predict the glacier may retreat into the deeper part of the basin within 10-20 years, accelerating glacier melt and impacting coastal communities worldwide.
GPS stations measure daily ice loss in Greenland
Daily tracking of ice melt has been made possible with a new method developed by researchers at DTU using 61 national GPS stations in Greenland. The study provides significant advancement in monitoring ice mass loss and understanding the processes behind the ice melting.
Feedback loop that is melting ice shelves in West Antarctica revealed
Researchers have uncovered a feedback loop that may be accelerating the melting of ice shelves in West Antarctica, contributing to global sea level rise. The study suggests that as ice shelves melt, they produce more freshwater, which strengthens an underwater current carrying warm water towards the ice shelf.
New research: Fivefold increase in the melting of Greenland's glaciers over the last 20 years
Research confirms Greenland's glaciers are melting rapidly due to climate change, with a 5-fold increase in melting over the past 20 years. The study reveals that 25 meters of ice are lost annually, contributing significantly to sea level rise and posing significant challenges for renewable energy and ecosystems.
Ocean circulation, ice melt and increasing tourism could all be contributing to Arctic microplastics
A study in the Barents Sea reveals that microplastics are being transported into the Arctic Ocean due to ocean circulation, ice melt, and increased tourism. The highest concentrations were found near sources of pollution and along the coastline.
Melting ice likely triggered climate change 8,000+ years ago
A team of geo-scientists identified a melting ice sheet as the trigger for a major climate-change event over 8,000 years ago. The research found that rapid ice-sheet retreat from the Hudson Bay Ice Saddle caused significant changes to ocean currents and global rainfall patterns.
Bursting air bubbles may play a key role in how glacier ice melts, Oregon State research suggests
Researchers at Oregon State University found that glacier ice melts twice as fast with pressurized air bubbles than without them, which could explain part of the observed melting rate difference. This discovery has significant implications for climate models and predicting ice melt rates.
Gullies on Mars could have been formed by recent periods of liquid meltwater, study suggests
A new study led by Brown University researchers reveals that Martian gullies could have been formed by on-and-off periods of meltwater from ice on and beneath the planet's surface. The study found that when Mars tilts on its axis to 35 degrees, conditions become dense enough for brief episodes of melting to occur.
Air pollution speeds snowmelt
A recent study found that air pollution, particularly particulate matter, accelerates snowmelt in the Himalayas. Reduced anthropogenic pollutant emissions during the Indian lockdown in 2020 prevented 27 Mt of ice and snow melt, highlighting the impact of decreasing pollution on combating climate change.
Researchers discover that the ice cap is teeming with microorganisms
Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered thousands of microscopic organisms thriving on glaciers, including a black algae that darkens the ice and accelerates melting. The study highlights the importance of understanding microbial life in extreme environments to better comprehend climate change.
Massive iceberg discharges during the last ice age had no impact on nearby Greenland, raising new questions about climate dynamics
A new study from Oregon State University found that massive iceberg discharges during the last ice age triggered rapid warming in Antarctica but had no effect on temperatures in Greenland. This discovery challenges current understanding of global climate dynamics and raises more questions than answers.
Polar ice sheet melting records have toppled during the past decade
The seven worst years for polar ice sheet melting and losing ice have occurred during the past decade, with 2019 being the worst year on record. Global heating is driving up sea levels and coastal flooding around the world, with melting ice sheets accounting for a quarter of all sea level rise.
Hidden ice melt in Himalaya: Study
A new study reveals that lake-terminating glaciers in the Himalaya have been significantly underestimated, leading to revised estimates of glacier mass loss. The research found a 6.5% underestimation, with some regions experiencing even greater discrepancies, highlighting critical implications for regional water resources.
Runaway West Antarctic ice retreat can be slowed by climate-driven changes in ocean temperature
New research reveals that West Antarctica's ice sheet collapse is not inevitable, with regional variations in climate and ocean circulation affecting the pace of ice loss. Changes in ocean temperature, driven by shifts in offshore wind patterns, have slowed down ice melt in vulnerable regions.
Massive "marimo" algae balls at risk from deadly winter sunburn
A new study reveals that marimo algae balls are susceptible to photoinhibition when exposed to high light intensities and low water temperatures. Researchers found that while the algae can recover from brief periods of bright sunlight, prolonged exposure leads to cell damage and death.
Study identifies new cause of melting Antarctic ice shelves
Researchers have found that a weak ocean gyre near the Thwaites Ice Shelf allows more warm water to access its base, causing it to melt. This process is driven by waters from nearby melting ice shelves and can impact the stability of adjacent ice shelves, contributing to global sea-level rise.
The first complete picture of Arctic sea ice freeze-thaw cycle highlights sea ice response to climate change
Researchers synthesized multisource data to explore spatiotemporal variations of melt/freeze onsets, revealing a 3-month delay in basal freeze onset compared to surface. The study highlights the importance of synchronous monitoring of air-ice-ocean system and suggests a possible delay in Arctic sea ice loss due to climate change.
Volcanic activity and low ocean oxygen events linked to climate warming and rapid ice melt during last ice age, study finds
A study reveals a consistent pairing of volcanic ash and low ocean oxygen events during times of rapid climate warming at the end of the last ice age. The research suggests that volcanic eruptions may increase as the planet warms, posing risks to populated regions.
River longer than the Thames beneath Antarctic ice sheet could affect ice loss
A 460km-long river under the Antarctic ice sheet affects the flow and melting of ice, potentially accelerating ice loss. The discovery reveals more active water flow than previously thought, which could make it more susceptible to changes in climate.
Deeper understanding of the icy depths
Researchers at Hokkaido University have discovered the importance of Frazil ice in producing dense cold water, which is a key component of global ocean circulation. This finding has significant implications for understanding the impact of global warming on this process.
Harvard researchers detect the first definitive proof of elusive sea level fingerprints
A team of scientists led by Sophie Coulson and Jerry X. Mitrovica have detected the first definitive proof of elusive sea level fingerprints. The findings validate almost a century of sea level science and help solidify confidence in models predicting future sea level rise.
Refreezing poles feasible and cheap, new study finds
Researchers propose using stratospheric aerosol injections to slow global warming by reducing solar radiation at high latitudes. The study suggests this approach is both effective and cost-efficient.
Are we missing a crucial component of sea-level rise?
A new study identifies areas in Antarctica's East region that could significantly contribute to sea-level rise if they undergo basal thaw. The researchers used numerical ice sheet models to simulate temperature changes at the base of the ice sheet, revealing regions such as Enderby-Kemp and George V Land as most susceptible to thawing.
Greenland’s Indigenous population favours extracting and exporting sand from melting ice sheet
A national survey of 1000 adults in Greenland found that 3 out of 4 support extracting and exporting sand from the melting ice sheet, with most preferring local involvement. The study highlights a rare example of an Arctic Indigenous population wanting to be involved in decision-making about adapting to accelerated Arctic changes.
Monitoring polar ice melting by combining data from different satellites
A recent study combined elevation data of the Antarctic ice sheet from two different satellites, CryoSat-2 and Sentinel-3, to obtain a more accurate map of latest elevation changes. The results showed that the average elevation of the ice sheets had decreased at a rate of 4.3 cm/year during 2016-2019.
Melting Arctic ice could transform international shipping routes, study finds
Climate change is causing rapid warming in the Arctic Ocean, which may lead to shorter, more eco-friendly maritime trade routes. This could reduce the shipping industry's carbon footprint and weaken Russia's control over trade routes through the Arctic. New trade routes could also increase global shipping infrastructure resilience.
Study illustrates nuances of gravitational pull of ice sheets
Researcher Douglas Kurtze's study reveals that gravitational pull can cause local sea level drops near melting ice sheets, contrary to global-mean sea level rises. The phenomenon occurs due to the weakening of gravity as the ice mass decreases.
Melting ice caps may not shut down ocean current
Researchers revised their understanding of the relationship between Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and freshwater from melting polar ice. A new model simulation suggests that AMOC is less sensitive to freshwater forcing than previously thought, contradicting long-held assumptions.
New link between greenhouse gasses and sea level rise
A new study provides evidence that long-term warming of the Amundsen Sea, a key contributor to global sea level rise, is linked to rising greenhouse gases. The research suggests that ocean temperatures in the region have been rising since before records began and are expected to continue if greenhouse gas emissions increase.
'Blue Blob' near Iceland could slow glacial melting
A region of cooling water in the North Atlantic Ocean near Iceland, nicknamed the 'Blue Blob,' has likely slowed the melting of the island's glaciers since 2011. The cold patch is predicted to persist until about 2050, before ocean and air temperatures increase leading to accelerated melting.
uOttawa study shows widespread retreat and loss of marine-terminating glaciers in the northern hemisphere
Researchers found that glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere lost a total area of 390 km² per year, with 60% attributed to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Only 3% of glaciers advanced during this period. The study highlights the impact of climate change on marine-terminating glaciers.