Articles tagged with Glaciers
Researchers led by NUS found that climate change is increasing fluvial sediment loads in the high mountains of Asia, with implications for hydropower, food, and environmental security. The study reveals that sediment fluxes could more than double by 2050 under an extreme climate change scenario.
A research team from VUB has been monitoring glaciers in the Alps for 20 years, using drones to track glacier melting and find that the Morteratsch and Pers glaciers have lost mass again. The study found that climate change is causing glaciers to lose mass faster, with one cooler summer not changing the overall trend.
Researchers found that changes to the ice sheet immediately impact the groundwater underlying the island, affecting Arctic hydrology and ocean circulation patterns. The discovery sheds new light on the importance of groundwater in responding to climate change.
Researchers used radiokrypton dating to study the origin and flow of freshwater and saltwater in the Floridan Aquifer. The study found that some samples contained 40,000-year-old saltwater from just before the last glacial maximum, highlighting the impact of rising sea levels on coastal aquifers.
Research suggests that climate-caused disruptions to the jet stream's position and intensity could lead to severe weather-related consequences. The study's findings imply that continued warming could cause significant deviations from the norm, rendering the jet stream drastically different within a matter of decades.
Scientists have imaged fine-scale landforms within ancient glacial channels in the North Sea, revealing how water moved through the channels and even how ice stagnated and melted away. The findings provide clues to how ice sheets react to a warming climate and offer insights into future changes in ice sheet behavior.
Researchers have mapped significant geothermal heat beneath Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, revealing a new potential weak spot in the ice sheet's stability. This heat flow, estimated to be up to 150 milliwatts per square meter, could lead to easier sliding of the glacier and potentially accelerate its collapse.
Scientists at Ohio State University have found viruses nearly 15,000 years old in Tibetan glacier ice, including four previously known and 28 novel viruses. The discovery sheds light on virus evolution and helps understand how microbes and viruses respond to climate change.
Glaciers in High Mountain Asia are strong sources of carbon, with cryoconite holes emitting CH4 and CO2. Proglacial river runoff can mitigate these effects, but more research is needed to understand the impact on the carbon cycle.
Researchers used seismic sensors to study subglacial water flow on the Argentière glacier. The study revealed a complex drainage system with multiple cavities producing high water pressure, accelerating glacier movement.
A team of scientists from Hokkaido University used an ocean-bottom seismometer to detect continuous seismic radiation from a glacier sliding in Greenland. The study revealed that glacial basal motion can be monitored using underwater sensors, offering new opportunities for studying ice flow and calving processes.
Researchers have discovered a new style of invisible gold hosted in pyrite crystals with deformation-related dislocations. Additionally, a study reveals the impact of diagenesis on iron speciation in ancient sedimentary rocks, suggesting true euxinia may be less than previously thought. Submarine fans also exhibit dynamic environments ...
A recent study found that mountaintop glaciers in the tropics have lost significant area over the past 50 years, with some losing up to 93% of their ice. The study combined NASA satellite imagery and data from ice cores, revealing a rapid decline in glacier mass due to climate change.
A new model has been developed to simulate the correlation between iceberg size and tsunami amplitude, providing insight into glacial rupture mechanisms. The study's results can refine sea-level rise predictions and provide detailed information about icebergs' mass loss.
Researchers from Heidelberg University combined historical images and maps with current data to track glacier changes in the Nanga Parbat Massif. The study shows that the glaciers have been shrinking since the 1930s, but at a slower rate than other Himalayan regions due to avalanche activity and debris cover.
A new study suggests that ice sheet thickness and the rate of calved icebergs limit the collapse of marine-terminating glaciers. Understanding this process is crucial for forecasting potential future sea level rise.
Researchers found evidence of massive icebergs drifting from Northeast Canada to southern Florida using high-resolution seafloor mapping and radiocarbon dating. The discovery provides insight into the interactions between icebergs/glaciers and climate, shedding light on how past changes in freshwater forcing influenced shifts in climate.
Scientists extracted two deep ice cores over 80m long from Colle Gnifetti, containing information on the climate and environment of ten thousand years ago. The ice cores will be stored in Antarctica for decades and centuries to come, providing valuable data for scientific advances and political decisions.
The Pine Island Glacier's ice shelf has been losing a significant portion of its area in recent years, causing the glacier to speed up. The study found that internal forces on the glacier are responsible for this process, which could lead to a more rapid and abrupt collapse.
A coalition of scientists analyzed satellite imagery and seismic records to understand the cause of the Uttarakhand disaster, finding that climate change is contributing to its frequency. The study suggests that a giant landslide triggered a devastating debris flow, destroying hydropower facilities and killing hundreds.
A new study on Petermann Glacier found that the way under-ice landscape is represented in models can significantly impact future sea-level rise predictions. The researchers discovered that a warmer ocean could trigger the break-up of the glacier, leading to increased mass loss from Earth's polar ice sheets.
A team of 53 scientists determined the deadly winter debris flow in Uttarakhand, India was caused by falling rock and glacier ice that melted on its descent. The study used satellite imagery, seismic records and eyewitness videos to produce computer models of the flow, shedding light on emerging hazards in the region.
Researchers at CU Boulder discovered that a sudden change in slushy iceberg aggregates can trigger calving events up to an hour before they occur. The findings may help scientists predict future sea-level rise scenarios and understand the forces determining how much ice discharges into the ocean.
Researchers found significant amounts of mercury in meltwater rivers from Greenland's glaciers, with concentrations comparable to industrial China. The discovery highlights the need for rethinking conservation measures and management strategies to address mercury pollution.
Researchers discovered high concentrations of mercury in Greenland glacial meltwaters, exceeding typical river levels by up to 1500 times. This finding raises questions about the impact of glacial melting on aquatic ecosystems and food chains.
Researchers discovered high concentrations of mercury in Greenland glacial meltwaters, comparable to those found in industrial China. This finding raises concerns about the impact on coastal ecosystems and the seafood industry, which is a significant export for Greenland.
A large-scale research project assessed Earth's 92,033 debris-covered glaciers and found that debris substantially reduces glacier mass loss. This discovery will improve risk assessment for communities near these glaciers, which can lead to glacial lake formation and potential flood hazards.
Researchers have successfully detected groundwater beneath Hiawatha Glacier in Greenland using airborne ice-penetrating radar. The discovery could greatly impact sea-level rise projections by enabling the study of water flow through ice sheets at a continental scale.
Glaciologists have created a new slip law to measure the relationship between forces and glacier speed. The study uses high-resolution measurements of glacier beds and digital models to estimate glacier speeds, which can be used to predict sea level rise.
Researchers used fibre-optic sensing to obtain highly detailed temperature measurements from the surface of the ice sheet to its base, revealing a heterogeneous temperature distribution. This finding contradicts previous theories and highlights limitations in current models, including those predicting global sea-level rise.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change warns that flash flood risk may triple across the Third Pole due to global warming. The study found that one in six glacial lakes pose a high to very high risk to downstream communities, with potential transboundary natural disasters expected to increase.
The study reveals that glacial lake outburst floods in the Himalayan region and Tibetan plateau could triple in the coming decades, posing a significant threat to communities and infrastructure. The risk of transboundary disasters will also increase, with new hotspots emerging in regions like the Western Himalaya and Pamir.
Scientists discover microplastic particles in remote Vatnajokull glacier, potentially affecting glaciers' melting and behavior. The finding highlights the need to map and understand microplastics in glaciers globally.
A new study reveals that global glacier retreat has accelerated by 267 gigatonnes of ice per year on average between 2000 and 2019, contributing to rising sea levels. The loss of glacial mass is having a profound impact on mountain glaciers in the Himalayas and other regions.
Research suggests that global warming caused a shift in the Earth's axis due to glacial melting and changes in land water storage. The study analyzed data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, finding that water loss on land contributed significantly to the eastward change in polar drift.
The cryosphere plays a vital role in regulating global climate, and NASA studies its changes extensively. Scientists have reported dramatic ice sheet losses in Greenland and Antarctica, causing sea levels to rise by 0.55 inches over 16 years.
New research suggests Himalayan rock glaciers, which account for 1/25 of glacial ice, will resist global warming more than traditional 'true' ice glaciers. These slow-moving glaciers are well-insulated and contain about 51 cubic kilometers of ice.
Researchers found glacial deposits in the Bodui Zangbo River valley that date back to before MIS-6. The age of these deposits suggests a glacial advance occurred during MIS-12, likely due to surface uplift and decreased temperatures.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen gathered data from the Renland Ice Cap, combining airborne radar, on-site measurements, and satellite data to create a more accurate model. This study now allows for greater precision in projecting local climate conditions for smaller ice caps and glaciers around the world.
The Himalayan region is prone to devastating glacial lake outburst floods due to rising temperatures and extreme precipitation. A network of satellite-based monitoring stations could provide in situ and real-time data on GLOF risk, helping to mitigate future events.
Hokkaido University researchers have developed a model that explains the causes of past glacial river floods in northern Greenland and predicts future flooding risks. The study reveals that torrential rainfall was the primary driver of the 2016 flood, while warm temperatures were responsible for the 2015 event.
Thick sea-ice outside fjords increases their sensitivity to warming, contrary to expectations. Warmer surface water temperatures can contribute to faster melting of glaciers and changing biogeochemistry in the fjord waters.
The study reveals a deep connection between the glacier and Pine Island Bay, and identifies distinct paths for warm water to access and attack the ice shelf. This could lead to increased melting and instability in the Thwaites Glacier, with implications for global sea level rise.
A third of Antarctic's ice shelf area could collapse into the sea if global temperatures reach 4°C above pre-industrial levels, new research shows. Limiting temperature rise to 2°C could halve the area at risk and potentially avoid significant sea level rise.
The Tibetan Plateau has warmed more rapidly than the global average in recent decades, primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions. The plateau's rapid warming poses significant risks for regional hydrological cycles and ecosystem services.
Researchers have successfully monitored a subglacial discharge plume for the first time, providing new insights into the dynamics of glaciers and their role in climate change. The study reveals that plumes are intermittent and influenced by various factors, including tides and wind.
Researchers found that ice loss near Glacier Bay National Park has influenced earthquake timing and location with a magnitude of 5.0 or greater since the past century. This study links expanding mantle movement with large earthquakes across Southeast Alaska, where glaciers have been melting for over 200 years.
A study linking glacier-fed rivers to higher rates of plant material decomposition reveals a major process in the global carbon cycle. The research found that warmer river water temperatures and reduced sediment movement create conditions favourable for fungi growth, leading to increased carbon dioxide release.
A research team studied glaciers and landforms in the Ethiopian Highlands, finding that tropical mountains cooled less than expected. The team mapped moraine boulders and dated them to determine past glaciations, revealing that glaciers reached their maximum extent between 40,000 and 30,000 years ago.
A global climate dynamic study suggests that shifts in the Southern Hemisphere westerly wind belt can trigger rapid, global changes in atmospheric temperature. This 'Zealia Switch' mechanism relates to ocean currents and heat engine releases, influencing glacier growth.
Researchers have obtained full-depth glacial meltwater observations in winter using instruments attached to tagged seals near the Pine Island Glacier. The study found a highly variable meltwater distribution with two meltwater-rich layers connected by scattered columns, which may change the melting rate of fragile ice shelves.
Scientists used high-resolution data from ICESat-2 to map the depth and surface morphology of fractures in Antarctica's Amery Ice Shelf. The study identified three types of fractures up to 164 feet deep, providing insights into ice shelf stability and potential calving events.
Research finds widespread increases in ice speed across the Getz sector, with some ice accelerating into the ocean by nearly 50%. Thirteen glaciers are thinning and flowing more quickly into the ocean, contributing to a total loss of 315 gigatonnes of ice between 1994 and 2018.
Researchers have successfully resolved the 'Missing Ice Problem' by including crustal, gravitational, and rotational perturbations in their model. The new reconstruction reveals that the total mass of Last Ice Age glaciers was 20% smaller and accumulated faster than previously thought.
Climate researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute have developed a new method to reconcile sea-level height and glacier thickness, advancing our understanding of past climate history. By analyzing sediment cores and geological conditions, they found that glaciers were larger than previously thought, resolving the 'missing ice problem'.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a connection between slow-motion fault slips and fast earthquakes, finding that 'slow slips' precede dozens of large magnitude 7 earthquakes. These precursory slips are directly involved in starting the earthquake and migrate towards where the fast slip begins.
The collapse of Aru glaciers has sent at least 7.1 million cubic meters of ice into downstream lakes, disrupting regional ecosystems. The volume increase of Memar Co Lake is 30% faster than the previous rate, and it may merge with Aru Co Lake within 7-11 years.
A new study finds human-induced climate change responsible for the retreat of Palcaraju Glacier, leading to a significant increase in glacial lake outburst flooding. The research provides critical evidence for an ongoing case in German courts, highlighting the need for protective measures and reimbursement.
Scientists from Alfred Wegener Institute found Arctic Ocean was filled with freshwater due to floating ice shelves. Freshwater inputs explained rapid climate oscillations.
A recent study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution reveals that alpine plant diversity will decrease once glaciers disappear, with up to 22% of species facing local extinction. The research highlights the 'winners' and 'losers' among plant species, with some benefiting from global warming while others will suffer.