Articles tagged with Glaciers
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.
Researchers study feldspar recycling in Yosemite National Park's Tuolumne intrusive complex to understand incremental growth processes. A new model predicts relationships between hanging-wall extension, fault slip, and fault dip for the Ragged Mountain Fault in Alaska.
Researchers found that 74 glaciers in deep valleys accounted for nearly half of Greenland's total ice loss between 1992 and 2017. Warming coastal waters accelerate undercutting, a process where warm water melts the ice from below, causing glaciers to break apart more quickly.
The Earth lost 28 trillion tonnes of ice between 1994 and 2017, equivalent to a sheet of ice 100m thick covering the UK. The rate of ice loss has increased markedly over the past three decades, driven by warming oceans and atmosphere.
A new analysis reveals Mars underwent 6-20 separate ice ages during the past 300-800 million years, with rocks trapped in glaciers providing a natural experiment. The findings hold implications for planetary geology and space exploration, including the potential for life on Mars.
High-resolution imaging revealed debris-covered glacier deposits on Mars formed in multiple punctuated episodes of ice accumulation over long timescales. Boulder size and distribution varied across the glacial landforms, contradicting predictions for a single continuous deposition period.
The study highlights a significant difference in ice shelf collapse between two glaciers in Greenland. Warming subsurface ocean water may be the culprit behind the rapid mass loss of the Zachariae Isstrøm glacier.
Scientists analyzed 141 outlet glaciers on the Greenland Ice Sheet to predict how far thinning may spread along their flow lines. Glaciers flowing over gentle slopes could have a greater impact on sea-level rise due to their ability to let thinning expand hundreds of kilometers inland.
Research reveals Greenland outlet glaciers are halted by knickpoints, stabilizing areas that prevent coastal thinning from reaching inland. However, vulnerable northwest Greenland glaciers could contribute to sea level rise in the next 100 years due to flat bedrock.
Researchers found that Alpine summits at 3,000 to 4,000m were likely ice-free until around 5,900 years ago. This discovery helps assess future glacier loss in the Alps and provides insights into past climate changes.
Researchers have revised the record of glacial and warm intervals in southern Finland, pushing back the timeline by 200,000 years. This discovery provides new insights into the paleogeography, vegetation, and climate of Fennoscandia during different interglacials.
The study suggests that the obese figurines were linked to extreme nutritional stress during Ice Age Europe. The researchers propose that these statues represented an idealized body type for young women, conveying ideals of body size for survival in difficult living conditions.
A comprehensive expedition reveals decades of glacier mass changes, accelerating ice loss and meltwater predictions. Climate change also increases oxygen availability on the mountain, posing a new challenge for human climbers.
A 10,000-year record of alpine glacier fluctuations reveals that some Rocky Mountain glaciers persisted as smaller glaciers covered in debris or rocks during periods of early Holocene warming. This challenges the long-held idea that all glaciers completely disappeared during these warm conditions.
A study using NASA satellite imagery reveals a landslide-generated tsunami threat in Barry Arm, Alaska, which could affect the surrounding area within the next 20 years. The glacier's rapid retreat has caused the terrain to become unstable, leading to a potential 3,000-foot landslide into the fjord below.
Researchers have measured a slow-motion landslide on an Alaskan slope, which could potentially trigger a devastating tsunami. The study found that the slope on Barry Arm fjord has slid over 120 meters from 2010 to 2017, posing a significant threat to nearby communities and shipping routes.
A team led by Eric Gaidos discovered the mechanism behind glacial lake floods, which are some of the largest on Earth. The researchers found that hydraulic connections between glaciers and lakes can lead to sudden and unpredictable floods.
Brown carbon tarballs have been detected in the Himalayan atmosphere, potentially contributing to glacial melt. The presence of these particles was found to increase on days with elevated pollution levels.
Researchers studied a 2014 GLOF event in Ladakh, India, to understand the cause of rapid lake level rise. They found that increased glacial melting caused thawing ice cores to drain through subsurface tunnels without spilling over.
Researchers have found that interglacials were more frequently skipped in the past than previously thought. The study used a new approach to analyze climate data, separating temperature and sea level change influences, and found repeated irregularities during the last 2.6 million years.
A new study reveals that meltwater lakes at glacier margins cause ice to recede much further and faster than glaciers terminating on land. This finding has significant implications for estimates of recession rates and ice mass loss, potentially leading to under-estimates in the coming decades.
A new study suggests that real-time seismic monitoring could detect glacial lake outburst floods five hours before they reach downstream communities. Researchers reconstructed the 1994 Punakha flood using seismic data, showing promise for a seismology-based early warning system.
Researchers document rapid acceleration and thinning of Pine Island and Thwaites Glaciers in Antarctica. The growth of damage areas on the ice shelves compromises integrity and drives further disintegration, highlighting the importance of incorporating damage processes into ice sheet models.
Researchers have investigated the emergence and development of cracks in glaciers, revealing a feedback process that accelerates fractures and weakening. This process is key to determining the stability of ice sheets and their contribution to rising sea levels.
Researchers have discovered deep seabed channels beneath Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica that may be the pathway for warm ocean water to melt the underside of the ice. The findings suggest that these channels could play a critical role in contributing to future global sea level rise.
Researchers found nearly identical viral genomes in glacier surface water from Arctic and Alps locations, suggesting a genetic 'fruit machine' process that creates diversity. This discovery challenges conventional understanding of virus evolution and highlights the importance of understanding viral interactions with hosts.
A new study finds that 50-70% of Antarctic ice shelves are at risk of rapid disintegration due to hydrofracturing, which could lead to significant sea-level rise. The research suggests that existing cracks in the shelves could provide routes for disintegration, and that warming temperatures could accelerate this process.
A Japanese expedition has identified a surprising melting hotspot in East Antarctica, with ice beneath Shirase Glacier Tongue melting at an alarming rate of 7-16 meters per year. This finding could significantly impact predictions of sea level rise and climate change, as the Antarctic ice sheet is Earth's largest freshwater reservoir.
Researchers will use computer modeling to estimate future Malaspina Glacier changes due to global warming, impacting terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The project aims to better understand glacier instability and educate visitors about climate change effects.
A new VR experience, Beyond the Ice, brings Hallett Cove's fossilized landscape to life with immersive 3D detail. Users can identify fossils, measure glacial grooves and draw rock folds using virtual tools.
A new study found that glaciers in New Zealand's Southern Alps have lost more ice mass than remains today, with a doubling of ice loss since the Little Ice Age peak extent. The rate of ice loss has accelerated over the past four decades, posing significant impacts on local communities and global sea-level rise.
A new study reveals that rock debris on glaciers can significantly reduce melt rates, with 7.3% of the world's total mountain glacier area covered in debris. This finding has significant implications for predicting future water resources and sea level rise.
A study published in Global Change Biology found that mountain stoneflies can tolerate warmer water temperatures at least temporarily. The insects may even be stressed in their current extremely cold environments, contradicting the prevailing theory that rising water temperatures will be devastating for them.
Scientists analyzed mineral data from glaciers to determine Earth's climate before the Neoproterozoic glaciation. They found that the planet may have experienced a gradual cool-off into a Snowball Earth state, rather than an abrupt transition.
New study reveals Antarctica's ice sheets retreated at a rate of over 10 kilometers per year, much faster than current rates. High-resolution seafloor mapping allows researchers to uncover the complex history of glacial dynamics and provide insights into past sea-level rise.
Researchers found that specialized cold-water invertebrate communities have persisted through time even after deglaciation, suggesting that high-altitude streams and snow-fed water sources are key to preserving mountain biodiversity. The study used biological and glacier retreat data from Glacier National Park to support these findings.
A recent study reveals that specialized cold-water invertebrates have persisted in high-elevation streams of Glacier National Park, even after glacier melting. Researchers found that these species may be more resilient to glacier recession than previously thought.
Reconstructing the paleoecology of the Paleo-Agulhas Plain reveals a diverse, verdant environment with abundant game and plant species. The lost landscape, which existed around 11,500 years ago, supported megafauna such as giant Cape Buffalo and giraffes.
A new study reveals that Alaska's rainforest fjords have an incredibly high concentration of lichen diversity, with over 1300 species found in the region. The research team, led by Toby Spribille, identified more than 900 species of lichen, including 27 previously unseen species.
Researchers used ICESat-2 to track changes in ice sheet elevation over 16 years, finding significant losses in West Antarctica and Greenland's shrinking ice sheet, responsible for 14 millimeters of sea level rise. The study also reveals complex patterns of change in individual glaciers and ice shelves.
The study found that Greenland's ice sheet lost an average of 200 gigatons of ice per year, and Antarctica's ice sheet lost an average of 118 gigatons of ice per year. This resulted in a global sea level rise of 0.55 inches (14 millimeters) since 2003.