Articles tagged with Glaciers
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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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers studied Glacier Flat Creek in Alaska and found that glacier detachments can be triggered by increased subglacial water pressure due to melting ice. This phenomenon suggests that glaciers may pose new hazards as they melt at a faster pace, potentially leading to more frequent and destructive events.
Analysis of Proterozoic basement granite in southern Colorado suggests that the Great Unconformity did not form solely due to glacial erosion during Snowball Earth glaciations. Instead, its formation may be linked to varying times and locations.
Researchers have developed a low-cost methodology for creating high-resolution three-dimensional models of lake bottoms, combining data from an echo sounder and LiDAR detection data collected from an airplane. The technique has been successfully implemented in the Truchillas Lake in Spain, providing insights into the origin of the lake...
Scientists have found that liquid meltwater from Greenland's glaciers can flow deep below the ice sheet during winter, raising questions about sea-level rise and future climate change. This discovery highlights the need for year-round Arctic hydrological investigations to understand how meltwater moves through the ice sheet.
Scientists have created an equation to predict glacier movement over soft beds, which could improve forecasts of glacier speed and sea-level rise. The new 'slip law' accounts for the motion of ice resting on deformable ground underneath fast-moving parts of ice sheets.
Researchers unveil a new slip law to describe glaciers sliding on soft, deformable material, improving models of fast-flowing, marine-terminating glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland. This development enhances the understanding of glacier movement and parameterization for better sea-level rise estimations.
Glaciers in the Caucasus region are losing mass at a rate twice as fast as the average global mountain regions, with some areas decreasing by over 16% since 1986. The melting of glaciers poses significant risks to water supply and natural disasters such as rockfalls and mud flows.
Researchers have assessed East Antarctica's Denman Glacier, which has retreated 5 kilometers, and found alarming clues about its condition. The glacier's potential impact on long-term sea level rise is significant due to its sheer size.
A new record of deglaciations reveals the persistent influence of obliquity and insolation in pacing Earth's glacial-interglacial cycle. The study presents a high-resolution record of the last 11 deglaciations, showing that Earth's obliquity remained the main driver of glacial cycles throughout the Quaternary period.
A Simon Fraser University-led study predicts that climate-driven glacier retreat will challenge some salmon populations, while creating new habitats in others. As glaciers lose up to 80% of their ice volume by 2100, southern watersheds may face low water flows and warmer temperatures, posing challenges for adult and young salmon.
Researchers found that glacier ice walls block warm seawater, preventing melting and raising global sea levels. The findings provide better tools to predict future water levels and create more accurate climate prognoses.
Algae found in glaciers thrive under extreme conditions, absorbing UV light and producing energy to drive surface melt. Darkening of the Greenland Ice Sheet accelerates surface melt, with algal biomass contributing to its melt, according to a new study.
New research reveals how glacier algae thrive in extreme icy environments and cause widespread darkening of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The algae produce a phenolic pigment that captures sunlight energy for melt generation, driving surface melt increases by up to 10%.
A study found high levels of toxic metals in a Himalayan glacier dating back to the late 18th century, indicating human activity's impact on the atmosphere began during the Industrial Revolution. The research suggests that coal emissions from Europe traveled over 6,400 miles to contaminate the glacier.
Researchers have found that ocean warming is melting Greenland's ice sheet from beneath, causing rapid melting and accelerating sea level rise. The study identified a bathymetric sill near the seafloor that accelerates warm water toward the glacier, resulting in significant heat transfer and melting.
The robotic underwater vehicle, Icefin, captured unprecedented images of the grounding line, a critical area for Thwaites Glacier's stability. Researchers hope to gain a clearer picture of its condition, as it contributes significantly to global sea-level rise. The data collected will help predict future changes with more certainty.
A Rutgers University-led study using robotic kayaks found layers of concentrated meltwater in the ocean, revealing significant ambient melting rates near glaciers. This challenges current frameworks for analyzing ocean-glacier interactions and has implications for sea-level rise.
Scientists have observed record warm water beneath the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, which is causing significant melting. The discovery suggests that climate change may be responsible for the glacier's retreat, with potential implications for global sea levels.
Scientists tracked mass loss from Pine Island Glacier using ESA satellite technology and found complex patterns in space and time, with thinning rates decreasing in the central trunk by a factor of five since 2007. This contradicts previous observations, highlighting the need to improve model projections for future sea level rise.
Research suggests that glacier retreat leads to increased mercury uptake by vegetation, which can sequester more mercury than released glaciers. This phenomenon is not accounted for in current global models and has significant implications for global mercury cycling.
Researchers estimate that glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) could reach peak discharges of up to 15,600 cubic meters per second, posing a major threat to rivers and communities in the region. The study highlights the importance of monitoring lake levels and historic outbursts in determining GLOF hazard.
Researchers observe a high-speed ice feature forming on a Russian glacier, which could indicate the transition from a glacial surge to an ice stream. The study suggests this phenomenon may be more common than previously thought and could impact predictions for global sea level rise.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a new ice river forming on the Vavilov ice cap in Siberia, shedding nearly 11% of its mass since 2013. The rapid ice loss is believed to be linked to climate change, which can cause unstable ice shelves and erosion by warm water.
A UCI-led team has unveiled the most accurate portrait yet of Antarctica's ice sheet bed topography, revealing stabilizing ridges and deep land canyons. The new map will help scientists predict the continent's vulnerability to future climate warming.