Articles tagged with Antarctica
Male and female Hoff crabs lead separate lives at volcanic vents due to conflicting demands of feeding and raising young. Females migrate from warm mineral-rich fluids to cold waters with fewer predators for their offspring's early development.
A study found that only three populations of emperor penguins may have survived the last ice age, with the Ross Sea being a likely refuge for one population. Genetic diversity analysis suggests that conditions were too extreme for large populations to survive during the last ice age.
Global sea ice has been decreasing at an average annual rate of 13,500 square miles since 1979, with the Arctic losing more than it gains in Antarctica. The Arctic ice decrease has accelerated over time, leading to increased absorption of solar radiation and further heating.
Researchers have reconstructed the development of winter temperatures in Russia's Lena River Delta, revealing a clear trend: warming winters over the past 7,000 years. The study used oxygen isotope analysis on ice wedges to access temperature information stored in the ice and compile it into a climate curve.
Scientists have made new discoveries about Antarctica's geology and biology using a hot-water drill and an underwater robotic vehicle. The expedition uncovered a unique ecosystem of fish and invertebrates living in an estuary deep beneath the Antarctic ice.
Researchers aim to retrieve a 40,000-year record of climate change from the ice core, with potential insights into Antarctic interactions and global climate patterns. The team will also analyze ultra-trace gases for clues about tropical wetlands and land-based plant productivity.
A team of researchers from KU Leuven has made a significant discovery about the impact of atmospheric rivers on Antarctica's ice sheet. They found that these long, narrow water vapor plumes can rapidly transport large amounts of moisture and cause devastating precipitation when they hit coastal areas.
The 2014-2015 Antarctic Scientific Balloon Campaign launched NASA's ANITA-III payload to detect ultra-high energy cosmogenic neutrino fluxes. The campaign also includes the launch of COSI, a gamma-ray telescope to study astrophysical sources of nuclear line emission.
The NASA Operation IceBridge mission has completed its 2014 Antarctic campaign, building on previous studies to understand changes in ice conditions over time. Researchers collected data on sea ice, glaciers, and sub-ice water depth to inform projections of future Antarctic Ice Sheet changes.
New research finds Antarctic seawater temperatures are rising, causing accelerated glacial melting and potential sea-level rise. The study also reveals that warmer waters could impact ocean biodiversity.
The study reveals that the Amundsen Sea Embayment in West Antarctica is losing ice at an incredible rate, with the total amount of loss averaging 83 gigatons per year. This is equivalent to Mt. Everest's worth of water weight lost every two years over the past 21 years.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is renowned for its expertise in drilling through ice sheets, playing a critical role in advancing astronomy and understanding climate change. Researchers have successfully extracted ancient climate data from cores, providing valuable insights into the Earth's past.
The Antarctic ozone hole reached its annual peak size on Sept. 11, with a maximum area of 24.1 million square kilometers, comparable to 2010, 2012, and 2013. Chlorine levels have declined by about 9 percent since 2000, contributing to the smaller ozone hole.
Researchers embark on Operation IceBridge to study changes in Antarctica's ice sheet, glaciers, and sea ice. The mission aims to collect data on the rapid decline of glaciers and variations in sea ice coverage.
Researchers have observed a significant increase in Antarctic sea ice extent, reaching a new record high. This upward trend is an exception to the overall decline of sea ice globally.
Researchers found that Antarctic ocean temperature layering, similar to conditions 14,000 years ago, may lead to rapid collapse of glaciers and ice shelves, causing a steep rise in global sea levels. This stratification is caused by global warming adding freshwater to the ocean surface.
A new study reveals that the sea-level around Antarctica's coast has risen by 2cm more than the global average of 6cm due to fresh water from melting glaciers. This excess freshwater reduces ocean salinity and is corroborated by ship-based studies.
A new high-resolution bedrock map for the Antarctic Peninsula provides detailed insights into the region's geology and ice thickness. The study reveals that 34% of the ice volume is grounded below sea level, with a potential to raise global sea levels by 69mm.
Scientists have mapped the elevation changes of Greenlandic and Antarctic glaciers, revealing a record decline in ice sheet volumes. The study shows that Greenland is losing around 375 cubic kilometers of ice per year, while the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is thinning at a rate of 500 cubic kilometers per year.
A team led by Jill Mikucki finds microbial ecosystems in Subglacial Lake Whillans, supporting a diverse ecosystem that functions in the dark at subzero temperatures. The discovery has implications for life in extreme environments on Earth and in the solar system.
Researchers have mapped elevation changes in both Greenland and Antarctica using satellite data, revealing the ice sheets are losing volume at an unprecedented rate. The study shows that the two ice sheets combined are thinning at a rate of 500 cubic kilometres per year, contributing significantly to sea level rise.
The University of Waterloo has released a high-resolution Antarctic map created using RADARSAT-2 satellite imagery. This mosaic provides unprecedented accuracy and confidence in mapping ice cover changes, offering valuable information on the effects of climate change.
A new study suggests Antarctica's ice sheet could become the largest contributor to global sea level rise earlier than thought. The analysis indicates a range of potential increases of 1-37 centimeters in this century, significantly higher than previous IPCC projections. This could have devastating impacts on coastal cities and communi...
Researchers found five lineaments at a depth of 1,200 meters on the Hovgaard Ridge, providing insights into the Arctic's glacial past and freshwater export to the North Atlantic. The discovery supports a hypothesis that large icebergs carried frozen fresh water into the Atlantic, influencing global circulation patterns.
A 2010 Chilean earthquake caused icequakes in Antarctica due to the continent's sensitive response to seismic waves. Researchers detected high-frequency signals at 30% of seismic stations, indicating repeated failure and fracturing of ice near the surface.
Researchers emphasize the need for enhanced international cooperation in Antarctica to address key scientific questions and environmental concerns.
Industrial air pollution from smelting and mining activities arrived at the South Pole in the late 19th century, decades before Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen's historic visit in 1911. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that lead concentrations peaked in 1900 and remained high until the 1920s.
Scientists found industrial lead pollution in Antarctic ice cores from 1600 to 2010 A.D., with peak concentrations in 1900 and remaining high until the late 1920s. Lead contamination persisted despite mitigation efforts and still affects the continent today.
A team of scientists has reconstructed annual records of volcanic sulfate emissions in the Southern Hemisphere for the past 2,000 years using ice cores from Antarctica. The new record reveals 116 individual volcanic events and provides a more accurate understanding of climate variability caused by powerful eruptions.
A team of scientists found two emperor penguin colonies near the Mertz Glacier in East Antarctica, with a total of 7,400 breeding pairs. The study used both satellite imaging and ground surveys to monitor population trends and habitat changes.
A new study finds that most protected areas in Antarctica are at high risk for biological invasions, with five eco regions having no protected areas. The continent's biodiversity is vulnerable to invasion by exotic species, threatening its unique wildlife and plants.
Over the last 30,000 years, three species of penguins - Chinstrap, Adélie, and southern Gentoo penguins - increased in numbers as Antarctica warmed. However, recent declines in some populations suggest ice is now retreating too far or too fast.
A new study reveals that the Antarctic ice sheet is less stable than previously thought, with massive iceberg calving events causing rapid global sea level rise. The findings, published in Nature, provide direct evidence of the impact of Antarctic ice sheet instability on climate and sea levels.
Scientists have observed a significant increase in ice losses from Antarctica, with the Antarctic ice sheet now losing twice as much ice as it did when last surveyed. The study uses measurements collected by the European Space Agency's CryoSat-2 satellite mission to reveal the extent of this loss.
Researchers have discovered that the upward motion of Antarctica's crust is occurring at a rate of 15mm per year, much faster than previously thought. The land is rising due to the melting of glaciers and the subsequent reduction in weight on the Earth's crust.
Researchers found that stronger westerly winds are delivering rain to southern Australia while pushing colder air towards Antarctica. This explains why Antarctica is not warming as much as other continents and why Australia faces more droughts.
A new research by Florida State University scientists provides a detailed look at global land surface warming trends over the last 100 years. The study reveals that not all areas have warmed at the same rate, with some experiencing cooling and others remaining unchanged.
A study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that East Antarctica's ice sheet could trigger a persistent ice discharge into the ocean, resulting in a long-term sea-level rise of 300-400 centimeters. This could lead to catastrophic consequences for coastal cities worldwide.
Parts of ancient Antarctica reached temperatures similar to today's California coast and Florida heat due to high CO2 levels. The study used a new method to measure past temperatures, providing insights into the sensitivity of the climate system to greenhouse gases.
Researchers successfully used a new Krypton-dating technique to confirm the age of a 120,000-year-old sample of Antarctic ice. This technique provides an accurate means of confirming the age of ice samples, and allows scientists to reconstruct climate back as far as 1.5 million years.
A new MIT study finds that international efforts to limit ozone-depleting chemicals have been successful in preventing extreme Arctic ozone losses, unlike Antarctica.
A new study has found that six massive glaciers in West Antarctica are losing ice at an unprecedented rate, causing global sea levels to rise. The amount of ice draining from these glaciers increased by 77 percent between 1973 and 2013, with Pine Island Glacier accelerating by 75 percent over the same period.
A team of researchers has identified a giant gas cloud in the Milky Way galaxy, shaped like a long filament and about 50,000 times the mass of our sun. The discovery was made using the High Elevation Antarctic Terahertz telescope, which detects atomic carbon and is located at Ridge A in Antarctica.
A team of NYU scientists found strong correlations between North and tropical Atlantic Ocean warming and subsequent changes in Antarctica's sea level pressure and sea ice redistribution. The study suggests that distant regional conditions can have far-reaching effects on Antarctic climate change.
A team of New York University scientists has found that the warming of the North and Tropical Atlantic Ocean is contributing to climate change in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, reveals a previously unknown force behind Antarctic climate change.
Richard B. Alley is awarded the Arthur L. Day Prize and Lectureship for his innovative studies on ice sheet flow and dating techniques, enhancing understanding of past climate variations. He will present a series of lectures summarizing current knowledge in ice dynamics and climate change.
Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln discovered a new species of small sea anemones, Edwardsiella andrillae, burrowed into Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf. The anemones have adapted to live upside down in ice, creating a previously unknown ecosystem.
Researchers with the ANDRILL Program discovered thousands of small sea anemones burrowed into the underside of the Ross Ice Shelf, a first for a species to live in ice. The newly identified species, Edwardsiella andrillae, can be found hanging from the ice surface, with no clear mechanism for survival or reproduction.
Paleobotanists discover complete fossil remains of Agathis trees from Australia to South America across Antarctica, revealing its vast range and adaptability. The findings provide insights into climate change's impact on the tree's distribution.
Researchers found that penguin colonies moved from sea ice to thicker floating ice shelves due to changing environmental conditions. This surprising adaptation may help the species survive, but more research is needed to understand its extent and implications for other penguin populations.
A new study reveals that Pine Island Glacier is highly sensitive to climatic and oceanic changes, with fluctuations in ocean heat causing significant melting. The glacier's response to climate variability has been underestimated, suggesting a more complex interplay between geological, oceanographic, and climatic processes.
A new study suggests that El Nino events are tied to the rapid melting of Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier. The glacier's ice shelf has been thinned nearly continuously since observations began in the 1970s. Under certain conditions, a thick layer of warm water surrounding the continent can flood the glacier margin and accelerate melt.
Researchers have recorded GPS measurements showing West Antarctic bedrock being pushed sideways by East Antarctica's harder mantle. The movement is significant for understanding current and future ice loss on the continent. The discovery highlights extreme differences in mantle properties between East and West Antarctica.
Researchers analyzed 32 years' worth of data from satellite instruments to find temperatures plummeting to record lows dozens of times in clusters of pockets near a high ridge between Dome Argus and Dome Fuji on the East Antarctic Plateau. The new record of minus 136 F (-93.2 C) was set Aug. 10, 2010.
Researchers found temperatures from -92 to -94 degrees Celsius (-134 to -137 Fahrenheit) in a 1,000-kilometer long swath on the highest section of the East Antarctic ice divide. The measurements were made using Landsat 8 and MODIS sensors.
Researchers discovered a surprising abundance of species in Antarctic fjord seafloors, including bristle worms, anemones, and sea spiders. Climate warming is expected to impact these ecosystems as glacial melting accelerates and sediments enter the fjords.
NASA's Operation IceBridge is conducting a daily survey flight through Nov. 26, collecting data on Antarctic land and sea ice. The mission aims to track changes in polar ice, including the Siple Coast and Ross Sea areas.
A team of scientists has discovered a volcano hidden beneath a kilometer of ice in West Antarctica, sparking concerns about its potential impact on the continent's major ice streams. The volcano, located approximately 25-40 kilometers below the surface, is believed to be fueled by a hot spot in the Earth's mantle.
Researchers have identified areas in Antarctica where ancient ice cores could hold records of the past 1.5 million years, shedding light on Earth's climate history. The identified regions are near major domes in East Antarctica, offering a chance to drill into an ice core extending back that far.
Researchers found evidence of massive ice sheets over 1km thick in the Arctic Ocean, contradicting previous assumptions that glaciations only occurred on continents. The discovery reveals four or more generations of ice masses in the region, covering an area as large as Scandinavia.