Articles tagged with Sea Ice
The oldest and thickest Arctic sea ice is disappearing at a faster rate than younger ice, making it more vulnerable to decline. The multi-year ice cover is shrinking at a rate of -15.1% per decade, while perennial ice extent declines by -12.2%.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that Arctic sea ice decline is driving snowier winters in the Northern Hemisphere. The research found a link between diminishing Arctic sea ice and changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to increased cold surges and heavy snowfall in Europe and the US.
Researchers found that a decrease in summer Arctic sea ice cover leads to increased temperatures in autumn and winter, causing more stable atmospheric conditions that allow cold Arctic air to reach mid-latitudes. This results in colder winters with more snow in Central Europe.
A new international study provides evidence that an unusual episode of four massive tropical volcanic eruptions may have triggered the onset and persistence of Earth's Little Ice Age. The research suggests a subsequent expansion of sea ice and weakening of Atlantic currents best explain the cold summers following the eruptions.
A national research team led by CU-Boulder is studying the impacts of environmental factors on Arctic sea ice decline. The MIZOPEX project uses unmanned aircraft, satellites, and ocean buoys to understand sea ice characteristics and changes in the Beaufort Sea.
A new study reveals that harp seal populations are experiencing sharply higher death rates among pup mortality, with entire year-classes disappearing from the population in low ice years. The study suggests that seasonal sea ice cover has declined by as much as 6% per decade since 1979, leaving the population on thin ice.
A new three-year study aims to better understand the Arctic ocean and sea ice system, predicting its future changes and their implications for the UK and globally. The research will investigate how the seasonal removal of sea ice cover affects winds, currents, and ocean temperatures.
Scientists are flying a suite of scientific instruments over Antarctica's land and sea ice to study changes in key features like Pine Island Glacier. The mission aims to build a record of change and understand how ice sheets contribute to sea-level rise.
A new model has successfully predicted Arctic sea ice conditions up to five years into the future. The research shows that measuring ice thickness in September can provide a reliable gauge for the summer's low ebb. This prediction is important for shipping, oil exploration, and conservation efforts.
The Arctic sea ice extent fell to 1.67 million square miles in September 2011, the second lowest recorded since satellites began measuring it in 1979. Scientists attribute this decline to rising temperatures caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, which is expected to lead to ice-free summers by around 2030 or 2040.
A new study finds that Arctic sea ice under current climate conditions is as likely to expand as it is to contract for periods of up to about a decade. Researchers used computer modeling to simulate the behavior of the ice and found that it may temporarily stabilize or slightly increase in extent over the next few decades. However, lon...
Scientists used a computer-generated global climate model to show that polar sea ice can recover if the planet cools again, even if it's completely lost due to warming. The research suggests that there is no 'tipping point' beyond which the ice cannot recover.
Researchers found that Arctic ice under current climate conditions is as likely to expand as it is to contract for periods of up to a decade. The study suggests that climate change and variability work together to accelerate sea ice loss, but temporary stabilization or expansion may occur.
A NASA scientist and her colleagues observed for the first time that an earthquake and tsunami can break off large icebergs a hemisphere away. The Tohoku Tsunami in 2011 caused massive waves to reach Antarctica, calving off several chunks of ice that equaled about two times the surface area of Manhattan.
Researchers uncover large variations in Arctic sea ice extent over the past 10,000 years, revealing that current amounts are likely less than half of those seen during the Holocene Climate Optimum. The team's findings suggest changes in wind patterns contribute to climate-driven ice loss.
A new Australian study found a 40% decrease in summer snowfall over the last 20 years, leading to faster Arctic ice melt. The reduction in snow cover exposes sea ice to sunlight, increasing its melting rate and causing it to become thinner and less extensive.
Researchers tracked over 300 humpback whales and 2 million tons of krill in Wilhelmina Bay, revealing a critical late-season foraging ground for the endangered whales. Climate change is affecting the region, with rapid reduction of sea ice cover impacting krill survival.
The 2011 Arctic sea ice extent was the lowest maximum extent of 5,650,000 square miles since satellite record keeping began in 1979. Climate scientists believe shrinking sea ice is tied to warming temperatures and human-produced greenhouse gases.
Operation IceBridge studies changes in Arctic polar ice, glaciers, and sea ice to understand the effects of climate change. The mission aims to monitor ice sheet trends and track changes in glacier mass loss.
A new study suggests the Arctic Ocean ice may not reach a catastrophic tipping point due to climate change. Microearthquakes could help evaluate potential carbon sequestration sites by detecting fractures in rocks. This technique could pinpoint unknown fractures that could lead to long-term storage of carbon dioxide.
A new USGS study models the impact of reduced greenhouse gas emissions on Arctic sea-ice loss and polar bear habitats. The research indicates that lowered emissions could help preserve polar bears in all four ecoregions where they exist, reversing projected declines in population size.
Researchers are using image recognition software on unmanned aircraft to monitor Arctic seals in remote areas without risking pilots or observers. The project aims to understand the impact of warming temperatures and sea ice loss on seal populations, with potential applications for predicting future changes in seal habitats.
Researchers found that polar bears can thrive even if they raid geese nests, thanks to a mismatch in timing that allows geese to lay eggs earlier than bears arrive on shore. This means the geese population is unlikely to go extinct despite bear predation.
The Arctic sea ice cover reached its minimum extent for the year in September, marking the third-lowest recorded since satellites started measuring sea ice extent in 1979. The 2010 minimum ice extent is significantly below the long-term average and outside natural climate variability.
Researchers find that increasing Antarctic sea ice extent is due to stabilization of the upper ocean by increased precipitation, which reduces melting from both above and below. Climate models predict faster melting in the future, leading to a potential decrease in sea ice extent.
A recent study published in Nature found that rapidly melting sea ice is a major cause of warming in the Arctic. The research, conducted by the University of Melbourne, discovered a positive feedback loop between sea ice melting and atmospheric warming, leading to increased warming rates in the region.
Scientists find evidence that Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas may experience seasonally ice-free conditions and much warmer temperatures in the future. USGS research suggests that current climate models underestimate sea ice loss, with potential consequences including accelerated coastal erosion and impacts on polar bears and seals.
A new CU-Boulder study reveals the northern Alaska coastline is eroding up to one-third the length of a football field annually. The conditions are caused by a combination of declining sea ice, warming seawater, and increased wave activity, which are leading to the steady retreat of bluffs along the Beaufort Sea.
Researchers are using NASA's DC-8 plane, equipped with laser mapping instruments and other equipment, to study changes in Antarctica's sea ice, glaciers, and ice sheets. The data collected will help scientists better understand how these changes contribute to future sea level rise.
Despite a slight recovery in summer Arctic sea ice in 2009, the extent remains below previous years and on a trend leading to ice-free Arctic summers. Younger, thinner ice accounts for most of the cover, leaving it vulnerable to melt in coming summers.
The Arctic sea ice extent has reached its third lowest point on record, with a minimum area of 5.10 million square kilometers. The ice cover has declined by about 34 percent since satellite measurements began in the late 1970s.
Scientists Ron Kwok and Drew Rothrock extend Arctic sea ice record by combining ICESat satellite data with U.S. Navy submarine records, revealing a 53% decline in sea ice thickness since 1980. The study provides insights into the impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and global climate.
A study published in Nature finds that sea ice formed in the Arctic before it did in Antarctica, contradicting scientific expectation. The researchers analyzed oceanic sediment cores and fossilized diatoms to conclude that episodic sea ice formation began around 47.5 million years ago.
Researchers have reconstructed sea ice extent from 13th century to present using historical records and climate curves. The findings show a significant decrease in sea ice coverage since the start of the 20th century, with some record-breaking low levels in recent years.
Researchers from British Antarctic Survey and NASA found that the ozone hole has strengthened surface winds around Antarctica, leading to greater flow of cold air over the Ross Sea. This resulted in a small increase in sea ice extent in West Antarctica, contrary to the expected effects of greenhouse gas increases.
Ken Golden's research on percolation-based models of sea ice has revealed key features that control polar climate dynamics, including the 'rule of fives'. His work has also led to the development of mathematical approaches to predict changes in sea ice permeability.
New Arctic satellite data shows a decade-long trend of shrinking sea ice extent, with thinner ice replacing older, thicker ice. The maximum sea ice extent for 2008-09 was 5.85 million square miles, 278,000 square miles below the average for 1979 to 2000.
The Arctic is expected to lose four-fifths of its summer sea ice, reducing it from 4.6 million square kilometers to 1 million, with warming temperatures contributing to the decline. This rapid change is attributed to natural variability and increased greenhouse gases.
Climate change and sea ice fluctuations threaten emperor penguin populations, with a median colony size predicted to decline from 3,000 to 400 breeding pairs. The probability of drastic decline is at least 40%, putting the species at risk of extinction.
A NASA study confirms a link between rising Arctic storm activity and accelerated sea ice drift, which may serve as a negative feedback mechanism for global warming. The research suggests that the Arctic's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide could increase, offering a potential solution to climate change.
Preliminary data indicate 2008 may represent the lowest volume of Arctic sea ice on record. The decline is due to rising greenhouse gases and strong natural variability.
For a four-week period in August 2008, Arctic sea ice melted faster than ever before, with an average daily decline of 32,700 square miles. The rate of decline contributes to concerns that all Arctic sea ice could be gone within the century.
The Arctic sea ice cover has reached its minimum extent for the year, marking the second-lowest on record. The current trend reinforces a strong negative impact of summertime sea ice extent over the past 30 years.
Scientists have developed a novel method to study the Southern Ocean using elephant seals equipped with oceanographic sensors, providing a 30-fold increase in data recorded under sea ice. This technology complements traditional sampling methods, allowing for better understanding of climate change and its effects on global oceans.
A new study suggests that iceberg scouring in Antarctic waters is increasing, posing a significant threat to marine life. The duration of winter sea ice has dramatically declined over the past few decades, leading to more frequent iceberg disturbances on the seabed.
Scientists studied carbon export in the deep Arctic Ocean, finding that most particulate organic carbon enters from surrounding continental margins. Meanwhile, research on Venus's magnetic field reveals new structures and turbulence patterns within its induced magnetosphere. Additionally, Antarctic sea ice forms unique, organism-rich l...
Arctic sea ice is expected to decline further, with a 59% chance of breaking the annual minimum record for the third time in five years. This is due to the preponderance of younger, thinner ice and warming temperatures, which could have negative effects on wildlife and open up shipping lanes.
The loss of sea ice due to climate change poses a significant threat to Arctic marine mammals, including polar bears, hooded seals, and narwhals. Conservation measures may help mitigate the effects, but reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are crucial for long-term conservation.
Despite a colder-than-average winter, Arctic sea ice remains vulnerable due to long-term warming climate trends. The area of perennial sea ice, which lasts for several years, has declined significantly from 50-60% in the mid-1980s to less than 30% this year.
Scientists developed a new model to estimate sea ice thickness, using historical observations and environmental data analysis. The study shows that average ice thickness and total ice volume fluctuated together during the early period, peaking in the late 1980s before declining until the mid-1990s.
A study on Mercury's gravity reveals a comet-like tail extending over 2.5 million kilometers away from the planet. Meanwhile, research finds that rising carbon dioxide levels are linked to increased ground-level ozone concentrations, harming lung function and respiratory systems.
A new study indicates older Arctic sea ice is being replaced by younger, thinner ice, making the region more susceptible to rapid melt. The researchers used satellite data to reconstruct past Arctic sea ice conditions and found that 58% of remaining perennial ice is thin and only 2-3 years old.
The Arctic sea ice extent may have fallen by 50% since the 1950s, with September sea ice plummeting to the lowest levels on record. The researchers also noted that the date of the lowest sea ice extent has shifted to later in the year.
The 2007 Arctic sea ice season saw a remarkable decrease, with record losses shown in NASA satellite images. This drastic change has significant implications for the environment and climate, highlighting the impact of global warming on the Arctic region.
The Arctic sea ice extent on Sept. 16 stood at 1.59 million square miles, lower than the long-term minimum average from 1979 to 2000 by about 1 million square miles. The minimum also breaks previous records set in 2005.
Researchers discovered that brine moving up or down through floating sea ice follows universal transport properties, similar to water flow through sedimentary rocks. This finding can help improve forecasts of global warming's impact on polar icepacks and understand how polar ecosystems respond to climate change.
Researchers have made significant discoveries in the AGU journal, including a new understanding of booming sand dunes, a reduction in the North Asian monsoon's incursion since AD 1400, and improvements in global ocean analysis. The study on booming sand dunes reveals that sound waves channeled through the dune amplify as they construct...
A CU-Boulder team forecasts a 92% probability of the September 2007 Arctic sea ice minimum extent setting a new record low. The researchers attribute this to rapid disintegration and thinning of multi-year ice, replaced by thinner first-year ice.
A team of UTSA researchers, led by renowned sea ice expert Stephen Ackley, will join a crew of 22 researchers from several countries to explore the Amundsen Sea in Antarctica. The two-month expedition aims to investigate the processes of how sea ice forms and interacts with the environment.
The Wildlife Conservation Society's 'Warm Waters for Cool Bears' project uses satellite imagery and meteorological data to predict where sea ice will persist, enabling conservation efforts. The study aims to inform management activities such as designating protected areas for polar bears and their prey species.