Articles tagged with Sea Ice
A new study predicts the Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in the summer as early as 2030, with climate models suggesting a shift towards an ice-free Arctic on the earlier side of forecasts. The study used long-term temperature cycles in the tropical Pacific to narrow the uncertainty range of when the first ice-free Arctic summer will occur.
A new study links sea ice loss in the Arctic to major climate events, including rapid warming of 16 degrees Celsius in Greenland. The research, published in PNAS, used ice cores and numerical model simulations to determine that sea ice changes played a critical role in past abrupt climate change events.
Researchers tracked juvenile Emperor penguins for up to 6 years, revealing they initially swim far north to learn how to dive before heading south to the sea ice zone. The study highlights the unique connection between diving behaviors and the thermocline layer in the ocean.
A new study using Argo floats has gathered unprecedented data on the phytoplankton community beneath the Greenland Sea ice. The research found that half of ocean energy production occurs beneath the sea ice in late winter and early spring, with the other half occurring at the edge of the ice in spring.
Two rectangular icebergs were spotted on a NASA IceBridge flight over the northern Antarctic Peninsula in October 2018. The freshly calved icebergs appeared to be from Larsen C, which released the massive A68 iceberg in July 2017.
New research reveals Arctic phytoplankton blooms are expanding northward at a rate of 1 degree of latitude per decade. The decline in sea ice creates open water areas where phytoplankton can thrive, leading to increased primary productivity and potential changes to the food web.
A small ice-free oasis between sea ice-covered oceans and land ice sheets supported marine life for at least 5,000 years. This discovery sheds light on the vulnerability of Arctic ecosystems to rapid climate change.
Researchers used reliable methods to recover Arctic Barents-Kara Sea ice extent time series and found significant decline in sea ice starting from the end of 18th century, with a short period of expansion during 1940s-1970s. The industrial revolution may be a dominant factor in this result.
Researchers conducted an international survey to assess the importance of variables in climate models. They found consensus on certain variables like rainfall and evaporation but disagreement on others like surface winds. The study highlights the need for more systematic approaches to model assessment, which will aid in evaluating new ...
Reduced sea ice coverage has triggered the catastrophic disintegration of Antarctic ice shelves, causing them to flex and break under storm-driven ocean swells. This leads to the formation of long thin 'sliver' icebergs that eventually calve from the shelf front, contributing to sea level rise.
Satellite monitoring reveals Antarctica's glaciers, ice shelves, and sea ice are changing due to climate warming, threatening sea levels with a potential increase of over 50 meters. The continent's ice sheet holds enough water to raise global seas by more than 50 metres.
Decades of satellite monitoring reveal Antarctic ice loss, with glaciers and ice shelves thinning due to warm ocean water, leading to increased sea level rise. The continent's ice cover has been impacted by climate variability, atmospheric, and ocean circulation changes.
Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute found higher amounts of microplastic in arctic sea ice, with concentrations up to 12,000 particles per litre. The unique composition and layering of plastic particles suggest sources such as the Pacific Ocean's garbage patch and intensified shipping and fishing activities.
Researchers at UChicago developed a new mathematical method to accurately predict the shape and melting effects of ponds on Arctic sea ice. This technique, known as the 'void' model, could help improve climate forecasts and understanding by addressing discrepancies in previous models.
New University of Colorado Boulder research suggests that limiting warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit would reduce the likelihood of an ice-free Arctic summer to 30 percent by 2100. In contrast, warming by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit would make at least one ice-free summer certain.
The Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research was the largest of its kind held in a non-Arctic country, attracting 344 participants from 18 nations. Researchers discussed global warming impacts, climate change effects, and new research projects such as MOSAiC.
A shift in western Arctic wind patterns occurred during the winter of 2017, with sea ice movement also changing. This anomaly is possible indicator of a changing climate, with potentially significant impacts on Arctic ecosystems and food webs.
New research reveals Arctic sea ice is entering the North Atlantic, posing a hazard to ships. Warming temperatures due to climate change are melting more ice, increasing mobility and opening channels that were normally frozen shut.
New research finds that beluga whales are diving deeper and longer to find food as sea ice loss changes their Arctic habitat. The whales' diving behavior has increased significantly over nearly two decades, with dives lasting up to 3 times a day and depths reaching 64 meters.
A new study reveals polar bears have higher metabolic rates than thought, making them struggle to catch enough seals to meet their energy demands. The research found that five of nine adult female polar bears lost body mass due to insufficient fat-rich prey.
Researchers tracked polar bears during spring hunting season and found their metabolism increased by 1.6 times, with 4 bears losing 10% or more of body mass over 8-11 days
Researchers at ETH Zurich investigate extreme winter weather events that led to unprecedented sea ice melting. A unique combination of air currents and high-pressure systems accelerated the melting, reducing sea ice thickness by 30 centimeters in some areas.
Researchers use large ensemble of model simulations to examine lead-lag relationships between Arctic sea ice and atmospheric circulation. They find evidence that sea ice change is both a driver of and a response to atmospheric variability.
A recent study investigates the relationship between Arctic sea ice loss and the Eurasian winter cooling trend. The research suggests that changes in sea surface temperature, not sea ice concentration, are responsible for the observed warming trend.
Researchers analyze climate models to show that polynyas in the Southern Ocean can release heat into the atmosphere, warming temperatures and wind patterns globally. This process also affects tropical rainfall and water resources in regions like Indonesia and South America.
Quantitative analysis reveals that dark ocean surfaces absorb more light than white ice surfaces, leading to accelerated sea ice melt. The study found a significant correlation between solar heat input and ice melt volume, suggesting that heat input is a major causative factor of melting ice.
A dramatic drop in Antarctic sea ice in 2016 was caused by a unique combination of factors, including a strong El Niño event and unusually weak winds around the South Pole. The area of sea ice decreased to its lowest level in 40 years, with ocean temperatures also being unusually warm.
Researchers found evidence of sea ice at the North Pole during the last interglacial period, contradicting previous hypotheses. The study suggests that the Arctic Ocean may be free of ice in summer within 250 years if CO2 levels rise, highlighting the complexity of climate change processes.
New research reveals that Arctic sea ice loss can play an active role in altering the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a major water circulation system. The study found that a 30-50% loss of AMOC strength due to Arctic sea ice loss could accelerate its collapse.
A new study by NASA scientists found that Arctic winter warming events are occurring more frequently and lastingly, with an average increase of nearly two days in duration. The study also shows a significant impact on the Arctic climate system, with warmer temperatures hindering ice growth and expansion.
New research reveals Arctic winter warming events are occurring more frequently and lasting longer, with an average duration of 12 hours longer than three decades ago. The study attributes this increase to major storms in the Arctic, which bring warm air from the Atlantic Ocean, leading to peak temperatures above minus 10 degrees Celsius.
A study by Oregon State University scientists reveals a perfect combination of tides and wind responsible for the krill hotspot. Krill aggregations are delivered close to shore by tidal currents and winds, benefiting Adélie penguin breeding colonies. This natural phenomenon supports incredible biodiversity in the Antarctic region.
A new study by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientists predicts that dispersal among Emperor penguins will not prevent population decline due to climate change. Despite the ability of penguins to migrate to locations with better sea ice conditions, projected accelerated melting in Antarctica makes for a challenging dynamic.
NASA's Operation IceBridge expanded its Arctic ice survey range this year, covering a wider area than ever before with denser and more accurate measurements. The mission also explored the Eurasian half of the Arctic Basin and measured a newly formed crack on Petermann Glacier.
A University of Alaska Fairbanks study found that warmer Atlantic water is a significant contributor to Arctic sea ice loss. Increased mixing in the Eastern Eurasian Basin allows heat from the warmer water to reach the surface, causing sea ice to melt.
The eastern Arctic Ocean is exhibiting vertical mixing similar to the Atlantic Ocean, leading to record-breaking losses of sea ice in summers. The changes have substantial impacts on the Arctic Ocean system, including enhanced atmosphere-ocean interactions and altered freshwater storage patterns.
Researchers found that melt ponds in Arctic waters provide a nutrient-rich environment for algae and bacteria to grow, supporting marine life. This increase in productivity could lead to more food available for creatures such as seals, sea cucumbers, and fish in the polar seas.
Scientists at NASA and NSIDC report record low wintertime maximum extent of Arctic sea ice on March 7, reaching 5.57 million square miles. In Antarctica, sea ice minimum extent fell to 815,000 square miles in February, its lowest level since satellites began measuring in 1979.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that changes in atmospheric circulation, caused by Arctic sea ice loss and increased Eurasian snowfall, contribute to stagnant air conditions over China. This leads to the buildup of pollution, exacerbating winter haze problems in regions like Beijing. The study suggests that global climate change will...
Juvenile polar cod rely heavily on ice algae for sustenance, with 50-90% of their carbon coming from these tiny organisms. As Arctic sea ice melts, the fish's food source is threatened, posing a risk to the entire food web.
A new study from the University of Washington finds that natural variability in the atmosphere over the Arctic Ocean has accelerated summer sea ice loss in recent decades. The research suggests that climate change is still dominant, but natural variability played a significant role in the trend.
Operation IceBridge's ninth year in the Arctic will be its most extensive campaign yet, with two new research flights based out of Svalbard to survey the Eurasian sector. The mission aims to collect valuable data on polar ice changes and improve snowfall accumulation models.
Researchers found that air pollution, specifically sulfate aerosols, may have temporarily hidden the effects of global warming on Arctic sea ice, leading to an increase in sea ice extent from 1950 to 1975. The study's findings challenge the perception that Arctic sea ice was unperturbed by human-caused climate change until the 1970s.
A new study by Brown University researchers shows that the 100,000-year orbital cycle and the 21,000-year precession cycle work together to drive the glacial cycle. The team found that sea ice in the Southern Hemisphere plays a crucial role in modulating the effects of precession on global temperature, leading to an expansion of sea ic...
A new study led by Colorado State University suggests that a shift in the Southern Annular Mode, similar to El Nino, can lead to stronger ocean waves and the collapse of ice shelves. The research found that reduced sea ice cover allows ocean waves to directly impact ice shelves, enhancing surface melting and weakening ice shelves.
A new study finds that beluga whales in Alaska are mirroring changes in Arctic sea ice timing, delaying their migration south by up to one month. However, another population remains unaffected by these changes, suggesting variability in response across populations and time.
The 'new Arctic' is more prone to melting and storms, threatening its role as a climate moderator. Thinner sea ice functions differently, moving faster, breaking up easily, and being vulnerable to winds and storms.
Satellite observations help scientists forecast impacts of habitat changes on animal populations. Studies predict a 30 percent drop in the global polar bear population over the next 35 years due to sea ice loss. Satellite data also indicate that droughts in North America will affect migratory herbivores and their predators.
A recent study published in The Cryosphere suggests Antarctic sea ice has barely changed in size over the past 100 years. Researchers used ship logbooks from explorers like Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton to compare ice edge locations during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration with modern satellite data.
The NASA IceBridge mission has concluded its eighth consecutive Antarctic deployment, carrying out a record number of research flights and providing valuable insights into changes in polar ice. The campaign's findings shed light on the impact of sea level rise on climate change.
Researchers linked changing sea ice to shifting beluga whale migration patterns over two decades, finding whales adapt to varying sea ice conditions. Continued reductions in sea ice may result in increased predation and shifts in behavior, impacting population viability and ecosystem structure.
Researchers have found that each tonne of carbon dioxide emitted contributes to the loss of 3 square metres of Arctic summer sea ice. This linear relationship reveals individual contributions to global climate change, surpassing previous estimates made by climate models.
A new analysis reveals a direct correlation between carbon dioxide emissions and Arctic sea ice loss. The study suggests that reducing carbon emissions could slow the ongoing loss of summer ice and help achieve a 1.5°Celsius global warming target.
The oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is disappearing, weakening the 'bulwark' of ice that previously protected it. This has led to an increase in sea ice loss, especially during summer months, with multi-year ice decreasing from 20% to only 3% of total sea ice cover.
Researchers have discovered chemical traces of sea ice in Greenland ice cores, allowing them to calculate past sea ice levels. The data suggests that the Arctic climate was 2-3 degrees warmer 8000 years ago, with less summertime sea ice than today.
A new University of Washington study finds a trend toward earlier sea ice melt in the spring and later ice growth in the fall across all 19 polar bear populations. The analysis shows that critical timing of sea ice break-up and freeze-up is changing in a direction harmful for polar bears.
A recent study reveals that the expansion of Antarctic sea ice has caused a significant freshening of the Southern Ocean. The increased freshwater flux from the sea-ice conveyor belt explains the observed salinity changes in the region.
A new technique pioneered by scientists at Plymouth University can unravel historic changes to Antarctic sea ice, as well as demonstrate past alterations to glaciers and ice shelves. The method builds on an existing technique that identified changes to Arctic sea ice, allowing for the recovery and analysis of IP25 lipids from sediments.
Arctic sea ice cover is still declining despite slower melt rates, scientists say. The new normal for sea ice extent is expected to remain low due to extreme weather conditions.
Researchers have discovered a 65% reduction in Antarctic sea ice around 128,000 years ago, which has significant implications for predicting the Earth's future climate. The study, published in Nature Communications, used analysis of ice cores to determine the state of Antarctic sea ice during this past warm period.