Melting ice important indicator of global warming
Research suggests Arctic sea ice is shrinking, contradicting current climate models. Mountain glaciers are also losing mass due to temperature changes, raising concerns about sea level rise.
Glaciers
Articles tagged with Glaciers
Tsunami fault
Researchers measured ancient moraine crests to determine past movement on the Karakorum fault, revealing a significant right-lateral motion. The study's findings provide crucial insights into the Asian continent's movement and the collision of India and Asia.
Catastrophic flooding from ancient lake may have triggered cold period
A catastrophic flood from ancient Glacial Lake Iroquois may have triggered the Intra-Allerod Cold Period and the Younger Dryas cold climate event. The team analyzed sediment cores, walrus fossils, and pollen to precisely date the discharge of freshwater into the North Atlantic.
50,000-year-old plant may warn of the death of tropical ice caps
Researchers found plant samples dating back at least 50,000 years, suggesting the ice cap's current size may not have changed in that time. The discovery implies a possible decrease in global climate change over the past 50,000 years.
Major climate change occurred 5,200 years ago: Evidence suggests that history could repeat itself
Research at Ohio State University suggests that global climate changed dramatically 5,200 years ago, with severe impacts on emerging cultures. The team found evidence of sudden and severe climate shifts in ice cores, tree rings, and plant pollen records from around the world.
Research team discovers first evidence of microbes living in a rock glacier
A research team has found evidence of microbes living in a rock glacier for the first time, challenging previous assumptions about these environments. The discovery was made in Colorado and is similar to recent findings in Antarctica, where scientists had previously discovered life in inhospitable regions.
NASA's ICESat satellite sees changing world affecting many
Scientists are using NASA's ICESat satellite to measure the height of dynamic features such as ice sheets, glaciers, forests, and clouds. The satellite's laser instruments provide unprecedented accuracy in measuring changes in elevation, including accelerated glacier movement in Antarctica and thinner ice on West Antarctic ice sheet.
Study in Royal Society journal on first evidence for magnetic field detection in sharks
Researchers found sharks can detect geomagnetic field changes, which may aid navigation. This discovery builds upon previous studies on bird navigation.
NASA eyes ice changes around Earth's frozen caps
Scientists have found significant acceleration in the world's fastest glacier, Jakobshavn Isbrae, which nearly doubled its discharge of ice between 1997 and 2003. Meanwhile, Arctic sea ice has been declining at an alarming rate, with some areas experiencing 9.2% per decade decline.
U. of Colorado research team discovers life in Rock Glacier
A University of Colorado at Boulder research team has discovered evidence of microbial activity in a rock glacier, a barren environment previously thought to be devoid of life. The discovery includes traces of dissolved organic material and high levels of nitrates, suggesting microbes metabolize nitrogen within the glacier.
UNH scientist co-authors report in Nature showing movement of glacier has doubled speed
Researchers observed a sudden speed-up of the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier, coinciding with rapid thinning of up to 15 meters per year after 1997. The acceleration in ice flow has significant implications for sea level rise, with this one glacier contributing roughly 4% of the 20th century rate.
AGU Journal highlights - 26 October 2004
Researchers have made significant discoveries about the impact of human activities on the environment. A new study used satellite observations to estimate nitrogen oxide emissions from ships, which contribute approximately 23 gigagrams per year into the troposphere. Additionally, a seismic analysis technique has provided unprecedented ...
Glaciers surge when ice shelf breaks up
Researchers found that ice shelf collapses in the Antarctic Peninsula can cause nearby glaciers to accelerate by up to eight times, leading to rapid elevations drops and increased sea level rise. The study provides clear evidence of the relationship between ice shelf breakdown and accelerated glacier flow.
Antarctic glaciers accelerating in response to 2002 ice sheet collapse
Satellite data shows Antarctic glaciers speeding up by up to five times their previous speed after the Larsen B ice shelf collapse. This acceleration is linked to climate warming and could have significant effects on sea-level rise.
Retreating glaciers spur Alaskan earthquakes
A recent NASA study has found a significant correlation between the retreat of glaciers and an increase in earthquake activity in southern Alaska. As glaciers melt, they lighten the load on the Earth's crust, allowing tectonic plates to move more freely, which can lead to earthquakes.
Chipmunks descended from ancestors that survived last ice age, scientists say
Researchers found that eastern chipmunks in Illinois and Wisconsin descend from ancestors who survived the last North American ice age in isolated forest pockets. These chipmunks migrated south, merging with warmer east and south populations, challenging long-held assumptions about glacier-driven population migrations.
Discovery of tiny microbes in ancient Greenland glacier may define limits for life on Earth
Researchers discover tiny microbes in ancient Greenland glacier that are smaller than common bacteria and can survive extreme conditions. These ultra-small cells have been found to be among the uncultured majority of microbes on Earth and hold secrets to their survival mechanisms.
Small, cold, & hungry: Ultra-small microbes from 120,000-year-old glacier ice sample
Scientists have found microscopic life in ancient glacier ice, sparking interest in survival mechanisms of small cells under harsh conditions. The discovery opens up new avenues for research into growing previously unculturable organisms and understanding the limits of microbial life.
Mountains have the scars to prove the conflict between tectonic plates and climate
Researchers found that glaciers grind down mountains at a rate comparable to tectonic plate movement, validating the 'glacial buzz saw' hypothesis. This suggests that glacial erosion plays a significant role in shaping mountain landscapes and redistributing rock masses.
Satellites see shadows of ancient glaciers
Researchers using GPS satellites have discovered a pattern of land movement across North America, with Canadian sites rising and US sites south of the Great Lakes sinking. This post-glacial rebound affects not only industries but also international water management.
New evidence supports three major glaciation events in the distant past
A team of geologists has discovered evidence of at least three Cryogenian glaciations, with ages estimated to be around 663 million years ago. The new findings confirm a previously hypothesized 'snowball Earth' scenario and suggest significant climate changes may have led to extinctions.
Glacial records depict ice age climate in synch worldwide
Scientists from UW-Madison used a new technique to precisely date glacial deposits, revealing that the last two major glaciations were global events. The findings suggest that rapid cooling of the Earth's atmosphere synchronized climate change worldwide during each ice age.
Major Greenland glacier, once stable, now shrinking dramatically
The Jakobshavn Glacier, one of Greenland's major drainage outlets, has been found to be accelerating and retreating rapidly. Glacial scientists have discovered that the glacier is now flowing at speeds of up to 9 kilometers per year, with ice thinning rates reaching an alarming 12 meters per year.
Ice cores may yield clues to 5,000-year-old mystery
Researchers hope that ice cores and ancient plants retrieved from glaciers in the Peruvian Andes may contain clues about a mysterious global climate change that occurred over 5,000 years ago. The cores are expected to provide a critical piece of the puzzle needed to understand climate variability in the region.
Cincinnati geologists report on unknown amphibian, new tools for studying volcanoes and more
Researchers discovered a unique amphibian species, developed new methods for dating hillside erosion, and analyzed trace elements to recreate ancient environments. The team also created a new tool for analyzing basalts and found evidence of ancient volcanoes in Austria's Alps.
Explanation offered for Antarctica's 'blood falls'
Researchers from Ohio State University discovered that Blood Falls is the last remnant of an ancient salt-water lake, formed when sea levels were higher. The lake probably existed 5 million years ago, and its remains are being slowly pushed out by the glacier.
Tides control flow of Antarctic ice streams
Researchers found a clear association between ocean tides and ice stream motion in West Antarctica. The study discovered that a one-meter tide variation can cause an ice stream to halt and then accelerate rapidly.
With supercooling and the right geometry, 'warm' glaciers can trap and transport silt
Scientists have discovered that 'warm' glaciers can use supercooling to trap and transport silt, providing new insights into glacier dynamics. The process involves the formation of 'frazil ice,' which picks up particles from the surrounding water, creating layers of clean and dirty ice.
Glaciers strive for steady-state in bed erosion
Researchers discovered that glacial erosion is controlled by the relationships of the ground beneath the glacier, the rubble pile, and the glacier itself. Glaciers achieve a steady state existence when the angle between their toe and sediment pile becomes too steep, causing streams to stop flowing and erosion to cease.
Scientists rewrite laws of glacial erosion
Researchers at Michigan State University discover that glaciers sculpt and erode landscapes through a phenomenon called glaciohydraulic supercooling, which affects the rate of erosion. This new understanding allows for better comprehension of how glaciers subdue mountains.
NASA funds U. of Colorado study of changes in earth's glacier systems
The study aims to analyze satellite imagery to create a new baseline of current glacier conditions for comparison with historical measurements. Researchers will focus on two regions: central Asia and southern Alaska, where glaciers have experienced unprecedented ice loss, affecting freshwater sources and regional ecosystems.
UC Riverside study shows glaciers once existed near Los Angeles
A recent UC Riverside study shows that glaciers once existed in the southernmost region of North America, as recently as 5,000-10,000 years ago. This finding has implications for understanding past climate change and testing the validity of computer models predicting future climate change.
Glaciers: Alaska's Rivers of Ice
The USGS collaborated with Alpha DVD to produce a comprehensive educational DVD about Alaska's glaciers. The DVD covers glacier characteristics, climate history, and ecosystems, providing a detailed introduction to this natural process.
Longest ice cores retrieved from Canadian Yukon
Researchers collected and analyzed a record-breaking ice core in the St. Elias range, providing insights into the North Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The PDO is a 20-30 year climate cycle affecting weather across North America, with cool and warm phases centered in the North Pacific.
Hitchhiking rocks provide details of glacial melting in West Antarctic
Researchers discovered a steady decline in the West Antarctic ice sheet over the past few thousand years, raising concerns about its future behavior. The ice sheet contains enough water to raise global sea level by 5 meters, threatening coastal regions with disastrous consequences.
Alaska interior reveals scars and ruptures from 7.9 Denali fault quake
A 7.9 magnitude earthquake on Alaska's Denali fault system created a 145-mile scar across the landscape, with measurable offsets of up to 22 feet. The earthquake revealed new surface ruptures, clearly developed scarps and cracks where faults pass beneath glaciers.
African ice core analysis reveals catastrophic droughts, shrinking ice fields, civilization shifts
The study found three catastrophic droughts in Africa 8,300, 5,200, and 4,000 years ago, which coincided with the formation of cities and social structures. The ice cores also showed a significant decline in oxygen-18 isotopes, indicating another severe drought event around 5,200 years ago.
Kilimanjaro glaciers continue to retreat; UMass geoscientists are part of a team unraveling why
UMass geoscientists are part of a team studying the retreat of Kilimanjaro's glaciers, using continuous data from a mountaintop weather station and monitoring the glaciers. The researchers found an 80% decrease in glacier area between 1912 and the end of the 20th century.
Antarctic glacier may yield clues to global climate change
A team of researchers led by Hongxing Liu from Texas A&M University is analyzing remotely sensed data from the Lambert ice sheet to understand its role in global climate change. The study will help determine how glaciers respond to changes in the climate and provide clues about the potential impact on sea levels.
Geology and GSA Today media highlights — August
New studies reveal close connections between North Atlantic and Pacific climates, with potential implications for predicting future climate changes. Glacier advances in Alaska and landslides triggered by asteroid impacts provide evidence of distant climate perturbations.
Science to publish UAF glaciologist findings
Researchers have calculated that Alaska glaciers contribute significantly to global sea-level rise, with most glaciers losing mass over the past four decades. The study found that Alaska's glaciers raise the level of Earth's oceans by more than one-tenth of a millimeter each year.
July media highlights -- Geological Society of America Bulletin
Researchers studied Paleocene-Eocene syncontractional sedimentation in east-central Tibet, numerical modeling of fluid flow in Utah, and syndepositional thrust-related deformation in a Central Colorado trough. The findings provide insights into the geological evolution of these regions.
Decline of world’s glaciers expected to have global impacts over this century
Scientists warn of significant global impacts from glacier decline, with effects on agriculture, water supplies, and ecosystems. Glacier melting may lead to both serious problems and short-term increases in water availability.
Ice coring team heads for Alaskan glaciers
An ice coring team led by Ohio State University's Lonnie Thompson aims to drill through Alaska's glaciers to retrieve ancient weather records. The expedition hopes to determine if recent climate change is part of a natural cycle or caused by human activity, with potential implications for global warming.
Glaciologist Thompson to receive prestigeous Heineken award
Lonnie G. Thompson, a leading researcher in ice core analysis, will receive the $150,000 Heineken award for his pioneering work on climate change. His research has provided critical insights into the effects of human activity on the Earth's climate.
Antarctic ice shelf collapses in largest event of last 30 years
The Larsen B ice shelf has disintegrated in a record-breaking 35-day period, losing 3,250 square kilometers of shelf area. This collapse is attributed to strong regional climate warming, which has increased Antarctic temperatures by 2.5 degrees Celsius since the late 1940s.
Sea levels likely to rise higher than IPCC predictions
Glacier melting and climate change are leading to sea level rises, with the world's glaciers shrinking faster than they did in recent millennia. The International Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC) projections are considered too low due to glacier sensitivity and hydrological cycle changes.
Global sea levels likely to rise higher in 21st century than previous predictions
A revised estimate of glacier ice loss suggests a 20% contribution to observed sea level rise, with some glaciers smaller than they have been in thousands of years. Glacier melting could contribute up to 0.65 feet to sea level this century, surpassing the IPCC's estimated 0.16-0.36 feet.
Rutgers scientist links ice and snow shifts to global climate change at Boston AAAS Meeting
A Rutgers scientist is linking global climate change to changes in ice and snow cover, citing convincing evidence of warming trends. The scientist's data shows that the amount of snow covering in North America and Eurasia has been shrinking over the years.
There's more to ice ages than main theory explains
Scientists have tracked sea level changes and volumes of glacial ice using fossil corals. The study found that sea levels rose too early to be consistent with Milankovitch's orbital forcing, implying other factors can override glacial cycles.
Research indicates Alaska's Columbia Glacier will retreat 10 miles in next decade
Researchers predict Alaska's Columbia Glacier will double its rate of retreat and lose nearly 10 miles over the next decade due to increased calving speeds. This is driven by the glacier's terminus being thinner on average and being in deeper water, allowing it to flow faster.
New study shows early signals of climate change in earth's cold regions
A new study from University of Colorado at Boulder shows that global temperatures have risen one degree Fahrenheit over the past 100 years, causing snow and ice to decline around the world. The Arctic region is particularly sensitive to temperature changes, with sea ice extent decreasing by about 3 percent per decade.
Ocean circulation shut down by melting glaciers after last ice age
A NASA-funded study found that glacier melting can shut down North Atlantic Deep Water production, leading to a reduced Gulf Stream and cooling Western Europe. The study suggests that freshwater additions from increased rain and snow could cause this phenomenon in the future.
Geologists use lichens to track recent climate change
A team of researchers has developed a new technique using lichens to track recent climate change. By analyzing the size of lichens in different regions, scientists can create a timeline of glacier retreating glaciers in New Zealand. This method could provide valuable insights into global warming and its effects on the environment.
Scallop shells hold clues to changes in Antarctic climate
Researchers analyzed growth bands in Antarctic scallop shells to understand climate change, finding a long-term warming trend since the early 1950s. The study also reveals seasonal temperature variations and the impact of glacial meltwater on coastal waters.
Alaska's speedy Columbia Glacier on likely disintegration course
The Columbia Glacier, the world's speediest glacier, is on a course to disintegrate due to rapid calving. Researchers expect significantly increased calving events into Prince William Sound, posing a potential hazard to ships.
Global warming may be delayed by increase in ocean silica
Boston College scientist Kevin G. Harrison proposes the Silica Hypothesis, which suggests that increasing ocean silica levels can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, slowing global warming. This mechanism may be responsible for decreased atmospheric CO2 levels during glacial times and could be relevant to today's climate change.
Oxygen may be cause of first snowball Earth
A Penn State researcher suggests that increasing oxygen levels may have triggered the first of three past episodes when the Earth became a giant snowball, covered from pole to pole by ice and frozen oceans. The study proposes that low methane levels and high carbon dioxide levels were responsible for the glaciation process.
Alaska's Columbia glacier traveling at record pace
The Columbia Glacier in Alaska has increased its speed to 35 meters per day, raising concerns among scientists about a rapid decline. The glacier, already the fastest moving glacier in the world, is now expected to retreat at an alarming rate, potentially posing risks to shipping lanes and marine ecosystems.
Radar Data Will Help Scientists In Their Quest To Pinpoint Climate Change
Ground-penetrating radar is used to map large areas and determine snowfall patterns, providing a record for comparison with climate models. The technology can accurately date ice layers, which is essential for studying glacial cycles and changes in atmospheric chemistry.