Articles tagged with Ice Sheets
A new study led by Dartmouth researchers questions the rapid polar ice collapse model used in the IPCC's sixth assessment report. The team found that the expected rate of retreat is significantly lower than predicted, making the worst-case scenario less likely, but still dire due to ongoing ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
A new study confirms that the center of Greenland's ice sheet melted away in recent geological past, exposing a green, tundra landscape. The discovery suggests that the giant ice sheet is more fragile than previously thought and increases the risk of sea-level rise, potentially leading to catastrophic flooding in coastal cities.
A new study shows that predicting exact tipping times for critical Earth system components is challenging due to large uncertainties. The authors identified three primary sources of uncertainty and found that predicted tipping times for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) ranged from 2050 to 8065.
A new study suggests that the rising earth in Antarctica will impact future sea level rise, depending on how much global warming is controlled. If humans lower greenhouse gas emissions, upward shifts in solid earth could reduce Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise by about 40%, bolstering best-case scenarios for global sea level...
Research shows asymmetric polar ice sheet evolution triggers temperature drop and water vapor boost in Northern Hemisphere, causing shift in glacial cycles.
The UT Austin expedition aims to investigate how sediments control glacial melt and the future of the Greenland ice sheet. A robotic submersible will gather measurements of the glaciers' underwater walls and sediment-laden meltwater, while surveys and sediment cores will reveal past climate change impacts.
Researchers found that warming temperatures rapidly change how efficiently firn can store meltwater, while cooling temperatures may not help it recover as much. This 'firn asymmetry' contributes to the greater warming-than-cooling response of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
A new study reveals the geological footprint of persistent bottom currents within East Antarctic submarine canyons, carrying ocean heat to the continent. The discovery highlights the key role of these canyons in the melting of glaciers, contributing to sea level rise.
Researchers study droughts, wildfires, and precipitation changes across the US Southeast and globally. The Great Salt Lake's drying exacerbates regional droughts, while a Maui wildfire is linked to atmospheric patterns.
Scientists at British Antarctic Survey have identified a new tipping point in Antarctic ice sheet melting due to ocean water intrusion. This process, currently not included in models, could lead to significant underestimates of sea level rise and accelerated ice sheet melting.
Researchers from the Mann Research Group found strong path dependence in Plio-Pleistocene glaciations, driven by a gradual decrease in regolith and volcanic outgassing. The study suggests that carbon dioxide levels determine the onset of the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, and that it's not too late to act to prevent ice sheet collapse.
Giant viruses have been found living on the surface ice and snow of Greenland, regulating algae growth. These viruses, which are larger than bacteria and have a much bigger genome, feed on snow algae and could work as a natural control mechanism to reduce ice melting caused by algal blooms.
A study by MIT scientists found that microscopic defects in the ice shape how massive glaciers flow, leading to revised predictions of future sea-level rise. The researchers developed a model to estimate an icy region's sensitivity to stress, directly relating it to its likelihood of flowing.
Daily tracking of ice melt has been made possible with a new method developed by researchers at DTU using 61 national GPS stations in Greenland. The study provides significant advancement in monitoring ice mass loss and understanding the processes behind the ice melting.
A comprehensive geophysical map of the Greenland Ice Sheet has been unveiled, providing a modernized framework for interpreting its solid earth properties. The map reveals a far more complex picture than previously known, with distinct subglacial regions and unique geophysical signatures detected.
Climate change causes melting of ice sheet, resulting in loss of about 5,000 meteorites per year. Researchers call for urgent action to preserve the scientific value of meteorites and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans has provided new insights into ocean circulation patterns around glaciers, which can enhance the accuracy of climate models. The research used GPS-tracked icebergs to track hourly changes in their position as they passed through Greenland's Ilulissat Icefjord.
Scientists have observed the fastest-known large-scale breakage along an Antarctic ice shelf, demonstrating a 6.5-mile crack that formed in about 5.5 minutes at a speed of 80 mph. This finding reveals the physics behind ice sheet collapse and provides insights into potential calving events.
Researchers found that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet thinned by 450 meters in just under 200 years at the end of the Last Ice Age. The study sheds light on how quickly Antarctic ice could melt if temperatures continue to soar.
Researchers at Stanford have found that the Wilkes Subglacial Basin in East Antarctica could be closer to runaway melting than previously thought. The study suggests that this region, which holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by over 10 feet, may be vulnerable to irreversible melting if warming seawater gets under the ice sheet.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Greenland consumes more methane than it releases, with dry landscapes absorbing over 65,000 tons annually. The study's findings contribute significantly to climate models and provide insights into the optimal soil conditions for methane uptake in the Arctic.
Researchers found that injecting aerosols into the stratosphere can reduce ice sheet loss by up to 37.6 mm sea-level rise, slowing global warming's effects. However, geoengineering addresses only symptoms, not root causes, and may delay necessary changes.
Researchers analyzed Antarctic sediment records to understand past ice sheet behavior, finding frequent and rapid growth and recession cycles over thousands of years. The study suggests that climate factors beyond Earth's orbit may trigger these changes, potentially leading to unexpected ice sheet dynamics in the coming centuries.
Researchers found that reversing current warming trend within centuries may prevent ice sheet tipping. However, temporary overshooting can still lead to significant sea-level rise. The study suggests that acting fast and keeping temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius is crucial.
Researchers at UC Irvine have found that wind-driven surface melt of the Greenland ice sheet has increased by over 10% in recent decades, while Antarctic surface melt has decreased by 15%. The study suggests that these changes are due to the influence of global warming on wind patterns and ozone layer recovery.
Over 71 of Antarctica's 162 ice shelves have reduced in volume over the past 25 years, with a net release of 7.5 trillion tonnes of meltwater into the oceans. The western side of Antarctica experienced significant ice loss, while the eastern side remained relatively stable.
Research reveals the grounding line of the Ronne Ice Shelf can shift up to 15 km with changing tides, controlling ice stability and potentially accelerating ice melt. This finding highlights the need for improved observations and modeling of tidal processes to predict Antarctica's response to climate change.
Researchers found no indication of irreversible retreat in West Antarctica's ice sheet, but warn that current climate conditions could trigger slow and certain loss of ice over hundreds to thousands of years. The study suggests that even with no additional warming, an irreversible collapse is possible in 300-500 years.
Researchers develop a new model predicting up to twice the original amount of subglacial water may be draining into the ocean, accelerating glacial melt and sea level rise. The theory uses satellite measurements and is a simple equation that can predict exfiltration in a fraction of a second on a laptop.
Researchers have discovered clues about Antarctica's ice sheet formation in Mississippi mud, suggesting a 300,000-year brake on climate cooling. The study provides new insights into the Eocene-Oligocene transition, a significant climate event that had a major impact on Earth's history.
A recent study by German and Austrian researchers used stalagmites to document the impact of summer insolation on ice age climate dynamics. The findings suggest that warm phases appeared primarily during peak Northern Hemisphere summer insolation, with model simulations confirming these results.
A new study reveals that large portions of Greenland were ice-free tundra landscapes with trees and woolly mammoths 416,000 years ago. The melting caused at least five feet of sea level rise during a moderate warming period.
Sediments from the Camp Century ice core show northwestern Greenland was ice-free during MIS 11 interglacial period. This finding indicates the Greenland Ice Sheet contributed to 1.4 meters of sea-level equivalent to global sea level during this time.
New analysis reveals the Arctic island's ice melted for moss, shrubs, and insects around 416,000 years ago, leading to at least five feet of sea-level rise. The findings indicate Greenland's ice sheet is more sensitive to climate change than previously thought.
Scientists have developed a new radar technique that can image hidden features within the upper few feet of ice sheets, including melting glaciers on Earth and potentially habitable environments on Jupiter's moon Europa. The technique boosts resolution by combining two different radar bandwidths and looking for discrepancies.
Scientists have discovered weak, fossilised sediments beneath the seafloor of Antarctica's eastern Ross Sea, which led to massive underwater landslides. These layers made the area susceptible to failure due to past climate change.
Researchers investigate the impact of oceanic warming on Antarctic ice shelves, highlighting the role of circumpolar deep water in causing melting and calving. The study emphasizes the need for improved understanding and modeling to predict future sea levels and their effects on coastal communities.
Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered thousands of microscopic organisms thriving on glaciers, including a black algae that darkens the ice and accelerates melting. The study highlights the importance of understanding microbial life in extreme environments to better comprehend climate change.
A historic study reveals the West Antarctic Ice Sheet was smaller and more dynamic in recent geologic past than previously thought, with implications for global sea level rise. The researchers analyzed sediment and water samples from subglacial lake Mercer Lake to infer the region's geologic history.
The seven worst years for polar ice sheet melting and losing ice have occurred during the past decade, with 2019 being the worst year on record. Global heating is driving up sea levels and coastal flooding around the world, with melting ice sheets accounting for a quarter of all sea level rise.
A team of researchers found that ice sheets can retreat at speeds of up to 600 meters per day, 20 times faster than previous measurements. The study used high-resolution imagery to reveal corrugation ridges on the seafloor, which formed when the ice sheet's retreating margin moved up and down with the tides.
Recent research by Norwegian University of Science and Technology revealed that East Antarctica's ice sheet melted rapidly along its margins between 9,000 to 5,000 years ago. The study suggests that the less stable, rapidly flowing parts of the ice sheet were broken up more easily, leading to the ice sheet becoming much thinner within ...
A new study suggests that releasing 1000 gigatons of carbon will cause the southern portion of the ice sheet to melt irreversibly, while 2500 gigatons could lead to permanent loss of nearly the entire ice sheet. The researchers' findings indicate that we are nearing the first tipping point and may not be able to reverse it.
Scientists have calculated that the Amundsen Sea Embayment in West Antarctica has lost over 3,000 billion tonnes of ice over a 25-year period. The ice loss is attributed to extreme snowfall events and changes in ocean temperature and currents, contributing up to nine millimetres to global sea levels.
Researchers used a 3D radar scan to reveal that Malaspina Glacier is undercut by channels, making it more vulnerable to melting and potentially contributing significantly to global sea level rise. The glacier's bulk sits below sea level, and its coastal barrier erodes, allowing ocean water to access the glacier and accelerate its retreat.
A new study using satellite images found that glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula are flowing up to 22% faster during summer months due to warmer ocean waters and melting snow. This speed-up, driven by reduced friction between ice sheets and underlying rock, poses a significant threat to global sea levels.
Researchers used AI to analyze thousands of satellite measurements, revealing four categories of ice movements linked to meltwater flow. The study provides insight into how the Greenland ice sheet reacts to warmer temperatures and more meltwater.
A recent study using planktonic foraminifera fossils found a global clade-wide shift in marine latitudinal zones towards the Equator. The researchers discovered that this shift was not tied to species diversity or functional traits, but rather ecological and morphological characteristics of the organisms.
A new study warns that an irreversible loss of West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets may be imminent if global temperature change cannot be stabilized below 1.8°C, leading to rapid sea level rise.
A new study reveals that glaciers in Greenland move through a complex system involving basal temperate ice and varied landscapes. The research uses computer modeling to better understand the movement of the world's second-largest ice sheet, which could lead to more accurate predictions of sea-level rise.
Researchers from McGill University found that changes in sea levels during the Ice Age affected crocodile gene flow, isolating Caribbean and Pacific populations with distinct genetic mutations. The study reveals the resilience of American crocodiles to climate swings and highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts in Panama.
A new study reveals that recent high temperatures on the Greenland ice sheet are unique compared to the past millennium. The researchers updated existing ice core data with information from the most recent decades, showing a warming trend of 1.5 degrees Celsius above the long-term average.
The years 2001 to 2011 were the warmest in the last thousand years, with temperatures 1.5 °C higher than in the 20th century at high elevations of the Greenland Ice Sheet. This warming is surprisingly pronounced and decoupled from the rest of the Arctic.
New research reveals that West Antarctica's ice sheet collapse is not inevitable, with regional variations in climate and ocean circulation affecting the pace of ice loss. Changes in ocean temperature, driven by shifts in offshore wind patterns, have slowed down ice melt in vulnerable regions.
Two new studies examine the nature of China and Tibet's dynamics and a possible global organic carbon record. A model for natural avalanches also presents findings on long-lived postcollisional exhumation and cooling, while a novel technique is used to reconstruct paleohydrology from fluvial-deltaic deposits.
Scientists found the Bering Land Bridge was flooded until 35,700 years ago, with its full emergence occurring shortly before human migration to the Americas. The study's findings suggest a less direct relationship between climate and global ice volume, casting doubt on some explanations for ice age cycles.
A new study reconstructs sea level history at the Bering Strait, finding it remained flooded until around 35,700 years ago, less than 10,000 years before the height of the last ice age. This discovery challenges previous timelines and human migration routes into the Americas.
A new study finds that global warming overshoots could trigger climate tipping events, even if temperatures are limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The risk of triggering one or more tipping points would still be over 50 percent in such scenarios.
Research shows that even optimistic temperature targets can lead to catastrophic sea-level rise, disproportionately affecting low-lying nations. An interdisciplinary team highlights the need for justice-focused policies to minimize impacts of sea-level rise.
A University of Otago study found that ice ages occurred every 41,000 years until 400,000 years ago, contradicting previous assumptions of a 100,000-year cycle. The research uses sediment cores and paleomagnetic analysis to reconstruct changes in the Earth's magnetic field.