Articles tagged with Arctic Ice
Researchers studied heat movement near North Pole and under Arctic sea ice, providing insights into the mechanisms of Arctic sea ice decline. Their findings suggest that strong winds cause mixing of water where ice and ocean meet, leading to enhanced heat transfer and changes in seawater salinity.
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.
Researchers at Hokkaido University found that cooler summer temperatures across Greenland are triggered by changes in the El Niño climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean. This discovery will help improve future predictions of Arctic ice sheet and sea ice melting.
Researchers have provided a continuous look at the dramatic shift in glacial cycles, known as the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, using an ancient Arctic sedimentary record. The study reveals that three interglacial periods were warmer than previously thought, and there was a long-term drying trend during this period.
Researchers estimate 60,000-year timeline of massive volcanic eruptions, finding 85 large global eruptions and 69 larger than the 1815 Mount Tambora eruption. This new data helps improve climate models by providing insights into Earth's climate sensitivity.
A new study finds that immediate action to reduce methane emissions could preserve Arctic summer sea ice through 2100, with drastic cuts in CO2 also necessary. The chances of saving summer sea ice increase from nearly zero without action to over 80% if net zero CO2 emissions are reached by 2050.
A recent study using ICESat-2 data found that Arctic sea ice has lost 16% of its winter volume in just three years, with seasonal sea ice replacing thicker multiyear ice. This significant thinning trend is expected to continue, potentially leading to ice-free summers in the Arctic by mid-century.
A new project aims to determine the role of sea ice fragmentation in accelerating Arctic ice-cap retreat. By combining observations, theory, and process modeling, researchers hope to improve climate model accuracy.
A study by University of Zurich researchers reveals Arctic warming causes temperature anomalies and cold damage thousands of kilometers away in East Asia, leading to reduced vegetation growth and smaller harvests. The warmer Arctic winters also trigger extreme winter weather events in the region.
Researchers have found an unprecedented increase in winter stream flow rates over the last 25 years, with nearly 80% above average, driven by permafrost melt and forest fires. The combined effects of these factors are accelerating Arctic ice melt and exacerbating global warming.
Researchers link dwindling Arctic sea ice to worsening wildfires in the Western United States, finding a previously unknown mechanism driving the connection. As sea ice melts, it warms surrounding areas, triggering heat and fire-favorable conditions in distant states.
A study by Brynn Kimber and team reveals killer whales spending more time in the Arctic due to reduced sea ice, posing new threats to prey species. The warmer climate is altering the predators' hunting patterns, leading to increased risks for endangered bowhead whales.
The Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement mobile facility has relocated from Oliktok Point in Alaska to the southeastern United States. This move will allow for continued research on climate and weather models with a new fixed observatory at Utqiaġvik, formerly known as Barrow.
A new study reconstructs Arctic sea ice levels and currents over 500 years using ancient driftwood, showing a distinct drop in tree arrivals since the 1990s. The research provides a unique look into past Arctic Ocean conditions, shedding light on the impact of climate change on this fragile ecosystem.
A new study warns that the Arctic Ocean's 'Last Ice Area,' a region where summer ice traditionally persists, may not survive the century. The study predicts that under high-emissions scenarios, summer ice will disappear by 2100, displacing creatures such as seals and polar bears.
A new AI tool called IceNet has been developed to predict Arctic sea ice conditions with high accuracy. The system is almost 95% accurate in forecasting sea ice presence two months ahead, addressing the challenge of predicting Arctic sea ice forecasts for decades.
A new study finds that female walruses in the Chukchi Sea rely on biomarkers from algae growing within sea ice as a primary food source. The researchers tracked these markers using liver tissues from harvested animals, revealing a difference in foraging behavior between males and females.
A team of scientists from Princeton University found that the Arctic Ocean's nitrogen supply is limited by strong stratification, preventing plankton growth and potentially affecting fish populations. The research used fossilized plankton to study the history of nitrogen sources and supply rates in the western and central Arctic Ocean.
Researchers studied record-breaking cold air outbreaks in China and North America, finding links to sudden stratospheric warming, polar vortex shifts, and anomalous ocean temperatures. The study suggests that global warming and ocean changes may drive extreme weather events, highlighting the need for further research.
Research by Lancaster University has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals, known as 'forever' chemicals, in the Arctic Ocean. These chemicals, used in products like stain-proof uniforms and non-stick pans, can accumulate in sea ice due to long-range transport from the atmosphere.
Researchers found the error source of a sea-ice model varies with the season, leading to discrepancies between simulations and observations in both cold and warm seasons. The study suggests using an ensemble approach to consider seasonal variations in model errors, improving future simulation and prediction of Arctic sea ice.
A massive volcanic eruption in 43 BCE, linked to the Okmok volcano in Alaska, may have contributed to the unusual climate events that coincided with the fall of the Roman Republic. The eruption produced two years of prolonged cooling and increased precipitation, likely exacerbating crop failures, famine, and disease.
A new study links Antarctic sea ice melt to warmer oceans, increased rainfall, and strengthened trade winds in the tropics. The research team found that a 0.5? (0.9?) warming of the surface ocean at the equator would lead to an additional 0.3 millimeters of rain per day.
Researchers found a connection between Arctic sea ice melting and altered Pacific El Niño activity. The study suggests that sea ice melt drives vertical convection in the Arctic Ocean, generating planetary waves that carry heat and momentum to the tropics.
A study using quahog clam shells and climate models reveals Arctic sea ice can't 'bounce back' if climate change causes it to melt. Human activity is now massively forcing the system, exacerbating warming and sea ice loss.
Researchers found that greater lead occurrence is associated with fewer low-level clouds during winter in the Arctic. The study revealed that rapidly freezing leads can shut off moisture supply and accelerate sea ice freezing.
Researchers tested a radical geo-engineering approach using climate models and found that it could potentially delay Arctic sea ice decline by decades. However, the approach would not produce meaningful cooling effects globally or in lower latitudes. The study suggests that while 'ice management' is an interesting concept, it cannot me...
New research reveals the last remaining Arctic ice refuge is disappearing due to increased ocean currents and atmospheric winds, with the oldest ice declining twice as fast as the rest. The Last Ice Area will soon be gone, threatening wildlife survival and potentially leading to the loss of species.
Research reveals a 33% decadeal increase in Arctic dimethylsulfide emissions, primarily driven by reduced Arctic ice cover. The authors predict a possible doubling of emissions if the entire Arctic summer ice disappears.
A new study predicts that the Arctic Ocean could be completely ice-free in September if global temperatures increase by as little as 2 degrees Celsius. This finding highlights the potential consequences of limiting warming to 2 degrees, a goal of the Paris Agreement.
Recent studies suggest a link between Arctic sea ice decline and mid-latitude cold winters, but a new study finds no causal relationship. Analysis of climate models reveals that both changes are caused by unusual atmospheric circulation patterns, not the Arctic sea ice itself.
Scientists have extended the record of Arctic sea ice thickness variability from 40 years to 110 years by using historic observations from ships' logs. This provides more context for understanding rapid changes in the Arctic Ocean and helps predict its future.
A study on Arctic lead pollution reveals a significant increase in emissions from European industries during the Middle Ages, coinciding with technological advancements and economic growth. The pollution level declined substantially after pollution abatement policies were enacted, but still remains much higher than historical levels.
Researchers have tweaked a nearly 100-year-old physics model to replicate modern Arctic ice melt patterns. The study captures the essential mechanism of pattern formation and demonstrates how melt water is distributed over sea ice, impacting albedo and light penetration.
A study suggests that up to 40-50% of Arctic sea ice loss over the last three decades is due to unknown internal drivers, such as tropical effects. This discrepancy challenges the consensus among climate scientists who attribute it to flawed modeling.
The Beaufort Gyre's speed is controlled by the Arctic ice cover, which acts as a natural governor to slow down the gyre. As the Arctic ice melts, the gyre speeds up, gathering more fresh water from the Arctic's river runoff and melting ice.
Researchers found significant correlations between tornado activity and Arctic sea ice extent, particularly in July. The study suggests that Arctic sea ice loss controls the jet stream's path, leading to reduced tornado formation.
Researchers used reliable methods to recover Arctic Barents-Kara Sea ice extent time series and found significant decline in sea ice starting from the end of 18th century, with a short period of expansion during 1940s-1970s. The industrial revolution may be a dominant factor in this result.
Researchers at UChicago developed a new mathematical method to accurately predict the shape and melting effects of ponds on Arctic sea ice. This technique, known as the 'void' model, could help improve climate forecasts and understanding by addressing discrepancies in previous models.
New research reveals Arctic sea ice is entering the North Atlantic, posing a hazard to ships. Warming temperatures due to climate change are melting more ice, increasing mobility and opening channels that were normally frozen shut.
Researchers use large ensemble of model simulations to examine lead-lag relationships between Arctic sea ice and atmospheric circulation. They find evidence that sea ice change is both a driver of and a response to atmospheric variability.
A new study explores how Arctic sea-ice decline affects Eurasian circulation, revealing a link between the two. The research uses SVD analysis to quantify model uncertainties and find that a larger pan-Arctic sea-ice decline weakens the polar cell, leading to anomalous sinking motion in Eurasia.
East Greenland narwhals display paradoxical reactions when escaping from threats, including a downregulated heartbeat and increased swimming speed. This joint response puts extreme stress on the cardiovascular system, highlighting why deep-diving marine mammals are vulnerable to manmade disturbances.
New research reveals that Arctic sea ice loss can play an active role in altering the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major water circulation system. The study found that a 30-50% loss of AMOC strength due to Arctic sea ice loss could accelerate its collapse.
A new study found that a warming climate is stirring the remaining Arctic sea ice faster, increasing the odds that ice-rafted pollution will foul a neighboring country's waters. This pollution threat is particularly concerning as it can harm marine ecosystems and human health.
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.
Researchers from Harvard SEAS developed a mathematical model explaining the emergence of phytoplankton blooms under Arctic sea ice. The study found that thinning ice and increased melt ponds allow more sunlight to penetrate, creating conditions favorable for plankton growth.
A new study found that global climate change is linked to severe winter haze in eastern China, with Arctic sea ice loss and extensive snow contributing to poor ventilation conditions. The 2013 'airpocalypse' event was exacerbated by these factors, highlighting the need for stringent emission reductions to mitigate future haze events.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that changes in atmospheric circulation, caused by Arctic sea ice loss and increased Eurasian snowfall, contribute to stagnant air conditions over China. This leads to the buildup of pollution, exacerbating winter haze problems in regions like Beijing. The study suggests that global climate change will...
A new study from the University of Washington finds that natural variability in the atmosphere over the Arctic Ocean has accelerated summer sea ice loss in recent decades. The research suggests that climate change is still dominant, but natural variability played a significant role in the trend.
Researchers from Yale University and the Centre for Mathematical Sciences created a mathematical framework to explain phenomena where climate processes interact with daily weather. This new framework helps understand how seasonal variability affects predictability and public safety.
New research suggests that Arctic sea-ice loss intensifies the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) leading to more cold easterly winds. However, these winds are also warmer than they used to be due to widespread warming effects of Arctic sea-ice loss, resulting in little change in European winter temperatures.
Researchers found that air pollution, specifically sulfate aerosols, may have temporarily hidden the effects of global warming on Arctic sea ice, leading to an increase in sea ice extent from 1950 to 1975. The study's findings challenge the perception that Arctic sea ice was unperturbed by human-caused climate change until the 1970s.
A new analysis reveals a direct correlation between carbon dioxide emissions and Arctic sea ice loss. The study suggests that reducing carbon emissions could slow the ongoing loss of summer ice and help achieve a 1.5°Celsius global warming target.
The oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is disappearing, weakening the 'bulwark' of ice that previously protected it. This has led to an increase in sea ice loss, especially during summer months, with multi-year ice decreasing from 20% to only 3% of total sea ice cover.
Sea ice physicists project a possible record-low Arctic sea ice extent this summer, with thin ice unlikely to survive the melting season. The CryoSat-2 satellite data shows that arctic sea ice was unusually thin in 2015 and grew slowly during the past winter.
Scientists at NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center report that Arctic sea ice extent reached a record low wintertime maximum in 2016, with the lowest extent since satellite records began in 1979. The warming ocean waters are likely to contribute to continued declines in Arctic sea ice cover.
A study by Rutgers University researchers links Greenland's melting surface ice to shrinking Arctic sea ice and strong 'blocking-high' pressure systems. The findings highlight the increased threat of coastal communities as sea levels rise.
New studies reveal that human-produced aerosols could lead to up to 40% of future Arctic sea ice loss and formation of coastal sea ice drives North Pacific ocean circulation. Meanwhile, scientists face challenges in predicting sea level rise from West Antarctica's melting ice sheet.
A new study from York University found that Arctic sea ice in the Northwest Passage remains too thick to support regular commercial shipping. The research measured ice thickness using an airplane equipped with a sounder and surveyed the ice in April and May of 2011 and again in 2015.