Articles tagged with Arctic Ice
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.
The 2015 Arctic sea ice minimum extent is the fourth lowest on record, with a minimum of 1.70 million square miles. The decline in sea ice cover has accelerated since the late 1970s and is attributed to warming temperatures.
Researchers found that Arctic sea ice experienced a significant increase in volume after a cool summer in 2013, contrary to expected long-term decline trends. This suggests the ice pack is more sensitive to summer melting than winter cooling, enabling better predictions of future changes.
AGU researchers explore the impact of the Sabah earthquake on sediment production and river systems in Malaysia, while also discussing improved predictions for Arctic sea ice extent. The findings highlight the urgent need to better understand and predict these natural phenomena.
A new study published in The Cryosphere reveals a significant thinning of Arctic sea ice over the past four decades. The research, led by University of Washington climatologist Ron Lindsay, shows that September ice thickness has decreased by 85% between 1975 and 2012.
Researchers found that Arctic sea ice trend is influenced by internal variability, making long-term predictions challenging. There's a 34% chance of no change or growth in sea ice over a seven-year period, and a 5% chance of rapid loss.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have observed a remote Arctic ice cap thinning by over 50 meters and accelerating to speeds of several kilometers per year. The findings suggest that warmer ocean temperatures may be triggering this rapid ice loss, which has significant implications for sea level rise.
Arctic sea ice coverage reached its annual minimum of 1.94 million square miles in September 2014, the sixth lowest recorded since 1978. The summer started cool and lacked intense storms or persistent winds, contributing to the low extent.
Arctic sea ice covered about 2.31 million square miles on Aug. 19, falling short of the record low in 2012 but continuing a trend of decline over the past 30 years. NASA scientists are flying three airborne research campaigns to study climate-driven changes in the Arctic.
Research confirms significant thinning of Arctic sea ice snow, particularly in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, with results showing a decline of 14 inches to 9 inches (35 cm to 22 cm) in western waters near Alaska. Thinner snow cover may impact ice thickness and ecosystem health.
The Arctic melt season is growing longer by several days each decade, with an earlier start allowing the ocean to absorb more solar radiation. This trend is causing the sea ice cover to weaken, as thinner, younger ice becomes more prevalent.
A study analyzing 300 summer Arctic sea ice forecasts found that predictions are accurate when conditions follow the observed downward trend, but less so when they deviate from it. Improving forecasting by incorporating sea ice thickness and concentration data may enhance seasonal predictions.
The Arctic sea ice minimum extent for 2013 reached 1.97 million square miles, the sixth lowest on record, due to a late start of the melt season and cooler temperatures. The remaining sea ice cover is much thinner than it was in previous decades, with an average thickness of only 6.2 feet.
The Arctic sea ice cover is on track to reach its annual minimum, but it's unlikely to break records this year. The ice extent has been declining steadily over the last decade, with a sustained downward trend observed by NASA and other satellites. Antarctic sea ice, however, is expected to reach its largest extent on record.
Researchers modeled the influence of Arctic sea ice on temperatures during the Pliocene era, finding that ice-free conditions contributed to surface warming. The study suggests that 400 parts per million atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations may be sufficient to greatly reduce Arctic sea ice extent and seasonal persistence.
Research explores Arctic sea ice impact on atmospheric circulation and surface temperatures, revealing significant effects beyond the Arctic region.
IceBridge team measures sea ice, maps sub-ice bedrock, and gathers data on Greenland's glaciers, improving computer models of sea and land ice. The campaign aims to collect as much data as possible to understand the changing state of Arctic sea ice.
The 2013 Arctic sea ice winter extent was the fifth lowest in the past 35 years, reaching 5.82 million square miles. This decline is part of a long-term trend and is associated with increasing greenhouse gases, which affect the radiation type during Arctic winter.
Researchers found a 36% autumn and 9% winter decline in Arctic sea ice volume over the last decade. The study builds on previous studies using submarine and NASA satellite data, verifying compatibility with CryoSat-2 satellite measurements.
A European Space Agency satellite confirms a University of Washington analysis that the Arctic has lost more than a third of its summer sea-ice volume since 2012. The Arctic is now shrinking and thinning, with summer ice volume estimated to be one-fifth of what it was in 1980.
Researchers used NASA's Operation IceBridge data to correct forecast models and improve seasonal predictions. The new quick look data product, released before the end of the Arctic campaign, supplements final sea ice data and enables more accurate forecasts.
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached a new record low, with scientists attributing the decline to warmer temperatures. The minimum summertime extent of the sea ice is now 27,000 square miles below its peak in 2007.
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached its lowest level on record, according to a research team from CU-Boulder. The decline is attributed to warming temperatures caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, which have led to the replacement of old, thick multi-year ice with young, thin ice that melts quickly.
Researchers from the University of Washington's Polar Science Center have made a prediction for Arctic sea ice, expecting 4.4 million square kilometers of remaining ice, barely more than the 2007 record low. They improved their ability to predict by including new NASA sea ice thickness data collected by airplane.
Melting Arctic sea ice can trigger domino effects leading to severe winter weather outbreaks in the Northern Hemisphere. This phenomenon is associated with a weakening of the polar vortex and jet stream, allowing cold Arctic air masses to invade lower latitudes.
The oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a faster rate than younger ice, making it more vulnerable to decline. The multi-year ice cover is shrinking at a rate of -15.1% per decade, while perennial ice extent declines by -12.2%.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that Arctic sea ice decline is driving snowier winters in the Northern Hemisphere. The research found a link between diminishing Arctic sea ice and changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to increased cold surges and heavy snowfall in Europe and the US.
A new model has successfully predicted Arctic sea ice conditions up to five years into the future. The research shows that measuring ice thickness in September can provide a reliable gauge for the summer's low ebb. This prediction is important for shipping, oil exploration, and conservation efforts.
The Arctic sea ice extent fell to 1.67 million square miles in September 2011, the second lowest recorded since satellites began measuring it in 1979. Scientists attribute this decline to rising temperatures caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, which is expected to lead to ice-free summers by around 2030 or 2040.
A new study finds that Arctic sea ice under current climate conditions is as likely to expand as it is to contract for periods of up to about a decade. Researchers used computer modeling to simulate the behavior of the ice and found that it may temporarily stabilize or slightly increase in extent over the next few decades. However, lon...
Researchers found that Arctic ice under current climate conditions is as likely to expand as it is to contract for periods of up to a decade. The study suggests that climate change and variability work together to accelerate sea ice loss, but temporary stabilization or expansion may occur.
A new study by the UNH Carsey Institute finds that most Americans agree climate change is occurring, but disagree on its causes, with opinions defined by political party. Beliefs about climate change are strongly related to political party, and polarization increases among those who believe they have the best understanding.
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 new international study reveals that warming North Atlantic Ocean water is likely tied to the amplification of global warming in the Arctic. Water temperatures in the Fram Strait, which runs between Greenland and Svalbard, have warmed by roughly 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the past century.
New research indicates that if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced substantially, enough Arctic ice may remain for polar bears to survive. The study found no 'tipping point' beyond which summer sea ice loss would be unstoppable, offering a hopeful message but also an incentive to mitigate emissions.
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.
Scientists are studying how landmass shape affects Arctic sea ice extent, estimating rainfall interception in rainforests, and measuring mountain building rates. Landmass geometry influences Arctic sea ice growth, while forest canopy evaporation accounts for significant water resources loss. Researchers also investigate fault zone resp...
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached its third lowest point on record, with a minimum area of 5.10 million square kilometers. The ice cover has declined by about 34 percent since satellite measurements began in the late 1970s.
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 using NASA's SIERRA aircraft and satellite data to map and measure ice conditions below cloud cover. They found a 74% decline in older ice types since 1988, with only 2% of the Arctic Ocean now covered by these ice types.
New Arctic satellite data shows a decade-long trend of shrinking sea ice extent, with thinner ice replacing older, thicker ice. The maximum sea ice extent for 2008-09 was 5.85 million square miles, 278,000 square miles below the average for 1979 to 2000.
Preliminary data indicate 2008 may represent the lowest volume of Arctic sea ice on record. The decline is due to rising greenhouse gases and strong natural variability.
For a four-week period in August 2008, Arctic sea ice melted faster than ever before, with an average daily decline of 32,700 square miles. The rate of decline contributes to concerns that all Arctic sea ice could be gone within the century.
The Arctic sea ice cover has reached its minimum extent for the year, marking the second-lowest on record. The current trend reinforces a strong negative impact of summertime sea ice extent over the past 30 years.
Arctic sea ice is expected to decline further, with a 59% chance of breaking the annual minimum record for the third time in five years. This is due to the preponderance of younger, thinner ice and warming temperatures, which could have negative effects on wildlife and open up shipping lanes.
A new study by NCAR and CSU finds that unusually sunny weather contributed to last summer's record loss of Arctic sea ice. The research suggests that warmth from the Sun will increasingly affect Arctic sea ice loss in the summer.
Despite a colder-than-average winter, Arctic sea ice remains vulnerable due to long-term warming climate trends. The area of perennial sea ice, which lasts for several years, has declined significantly from 50-60% in the mid-1980s to less than 30% this year.
A new study indicates older Arctic sea ice is being replaced by younger, thinner ice, making the region more susceptible to rapid melt. The researchers used satellite data to reconstruct past Arctic sea ice conditions and found that 58% of remaining perennial ice is thin and only 2-3 years old.
The Arctic sea ice extent may have fallen by 50% since the 1950s, with September sea ice plummeting to the lowest levels on record. The researchers also noted that the date of the lowest sea ice extent has shifted to later in the year.
The 2007 Arctic sea ice season saw a remarkable decrease, with record losses shown in NASA satellite images. This drastic change has significant implications for the environment and climate, highlighting the impact of global warming on the Arctic region.
The Arctic sea ice extent on Sept. 16 stood at 1.59 million square miles, lower than the long-term minimum average from 1979 to 2000 by about 1 million square miles. The minimum also breaks previous records set in 2005.
A CU-Boulder team forecasts a 92% probability of the September 2007 Arctic sea ice minimum extent setting a new record low. The researchers attribute this to rapid disintegration and thinning of multi-year ice, replaced by thinner first-year ice.
Researchers at CU-Boulder's Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research predict a 57% chance of lower sea-ice minimum than 2006, with 70% chance within lowest five years on record. Declining Arctic sea ice is linked to higher winter temperatures due to greenhouse warming.