Articles tagged with Antarctica
Scientists have reevaluated past sea-level rise estimates, finding that the seas rose 20-43 feet higher than today during an extremely warm period 400,000 years ago. This new research helps narrow the range of global sea-level projections for the future, providing a more accurate understanding of potential changes.
The 2012 Arctic campaign measures changes in polar ice using a modified P-3 aircraft equipped with various instruments, including lasers and radar. The campaign also features international collaboration and educational activities.
A new study suggests that the seas rose 20 to 43 feet higher than today during an extremely warm period 400,000 years ago, contradicting previous estimates. The research provides a simple explanation for high beach deposits and infers that Greenland and West Antarctica ice sheets collapsed at that time.
A new study led by CU-Boulder shows that global glaciers and ice caps are shedding roughly 150 billion tons of ice annually, contributing to sea level rise. This is equivalent to losing about 39 cubic miles of ice from 2003 to 2010.
Researchers combined scientific observations with Canadian Inuit traditional knowledge to determine Arctic killer whale behaviour and diet. Arctic killer whales primarily eat marine mammals, such as seals and bowhead whales, but little is known about their prey preference.
A team of four British engineers has successfully paved the way to explore an ancient lake buried beneath 3 km of Antarctic ice. The Lake Ellsworth Programme aims to yield new knowledge about the evolution of life on Earth and other planets, while extracting vital clues about the Earth's past climate.
Researchers at the University of Delaware are studying Antarctic worms to understand how they adapt to changing environments and survive in a warming world. By analyzing epigenetic changes in DNA methylation, scientists hope to gain insight into the impact of global warming on marine ecosystems.
A team of scientists discovered a sauropod dinosaur remains in Antarctica, suggesting the species may have been more widespread than previously thought. The finding improves our knowledge of the dinosaurian faunas during the Late Cretaceous period on this continent.
Research suggests that tropical sea-surface temperatures may contribute to accelerated melting of Antarctic glaciers, such as Pine Island and Thwaites, due to westerly winds. This phenomenon is linked to changes in atmospheric circulation influenced by warmer-than-usual sea-surface temperatures in the central tropics.
A recent study published in Science reveals that the Antarctic and Arctic ice sheets experienced simultaneous melting 19,000 years ago. This finding suggests that Antarctica was not as climatically isolated as previously thought, with the two hemispheres reacting more closely to climate change.
Research in Global Change Biology reveals Antarctic mosses' slow growth rates (0.2-3.5mm/year) and their age, dating back to the heroic era of exploration. Climate change affects plant life, making Antarctica's driest continent an even harsher environment.
Researchers have found that the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains were formed by multiple tectonic events over a billion years, rather than a single event. The mountains' youthful appearance is thought to be due to the preservation of ancient crustal roots and uplift caused by rifting.
Researchers reveal the geological history behind the formation of the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, which took place over the last billion years. The discovery sheds light on mountain building and ice sheet evolution within continental interiors.
A multidisciplinary team will deploy to Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica to measure the shape of the cavity underneath the ice shelf and determine how warm ocean water interacts with it. The goal is to understand why the glacier is accelerating and contributing to sea-level rise.
Scientists have witnessed the birth of a major iceberg on Pine Island Glacier, providing valuable insights into the natural process of glacier calving. The data collected by NASA's Operation IceBridge will help researchers better understand the dynamics of ice sheets and glaciers.
Scientists predict a faster retreat for Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier within 20 years as it detaches from an underwater ridge. The glacier's grounding line is being exposed to warm ocean currents, leading to increased melting and potential sea level rise.
Antarctic killer whales perform rapid migrations to warmer tropical waters in search of relief from cold temperatures. The whales shed their thick layer of diatoms, which helps with skin regeneration in the warmer environment.
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 NASA-led study found unprecedented Arctic ozone loss in 2011, comparable to Antarctic ozone holes, caused by unusually low stratospheric temperatures. The researchers warn that Arctic ozone loss events may become more frequent due to climate change, posing a threat to human health and ecosystems.
A team of scientists predicts that Earth's climate has undergone rapid transitions over the last 800,000 years, with evidence from ancient snow layers and volcanic eruptions. The study extends the current 100,000-year record to create a new testing ground for climate models.
Despite efforts to stop ozone depletion, mysteries remain, including unexpected Arctic losses and long-lived substances affecting global warming. Scientists explore geoengineering options to cool the climate, but more research is needed to address this pressing issue.
Researchers study paleo-hurricane records from South Carolina marshlands and find that spatio-lateral continuity of hurricane deposits is poor. High-precision geochronology of the Chinle Formation provides new insights into early dinosaur evolution and temporal constraints on their evolution.
Research in Greenland and Antarctica shows that fossil-fuel related emissions of methane and ethane declined at the end of the twentieth century. The study, led by Murat Aydin, found a common cause for the decline in both gases, linked to changes in energy use.
Climate change is causing significant changes in polar ecosystems, particularly in the Arctic where permafrost thawing affects land and water ecosystems. This can lead to increased nutrient levels, altered stream networks, and changed habitats for plants and animals.
Debris flow hazard assessment and dune migration in Antarctica are among the highlights from the September issue of GEOLOGY. Additionally, a new study has confirmed the existence of the Luizi impact structure in Central Africa, while another research reveals a determination of fungal disease's role in Permian woodland deterioration.
Researchers found identical lead isotopes in ancient rocks from North America and Antarctica, suggesting a connection between the two continents 1.1 billion years ago. This discovery strengthens support for the SWEAT hypothesis and provides critical clues to the geographic relationships between major continents.
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.
A study published in Science found that the last interglacial period saw less melting in Greenland and more in Antarctica than previously thought. The researchers used sediment analysis to estimate past ice sheet behavior and improve future projections.
Researchers found that the Slessor glacier in Antarctica has not thinned significantly since the last ice age due to a large trough in the land. This discovery will help scientists improve their understanding of how ice sheet movements affect sea levels, enabling more accurate projections of future change.
A new study from Rice University and Louisiana State University reveals the Antarctic Peninsula was ice-free and forested during its warmest period 55 million years ago. The research provides a detailed reconstruction of the climatic history of the peninsula, shedding light on how the continent's ice sheets formed and evolved over time.
Scientists have created the first high-resolution topographic map of the Aurora Subglacial Basin, revealing vast channels cut through mountain ranges by ancient glaciers. The data will help improve computer simulations of past and future Antarctic ice sheet behavior.
Researchers found that the accretion of microcontinental blocks significantly affects continental growth, with potentially greater early crust than estimated. Paleosol analysis revealed optimal water-holding potential and fertility levels for subtropical soils from the late Cretaceous period.
A new study found that melting glaciers and ice caps on Canadian Arctic islands play a significant role in sea level rise. The region lost an average of 7 cubic miles of water per year, increasing dramatically to 22 cubic miles during the latter part of the study.
The new booklet, Antarctica: A Journey of Discovery, provides an introduction to cutting-edge Antarctic research in various subjects. It covers topics such as the food web, ice cores, particle physics, and geology, offering insights into the continent's past and its development.
New research shows that warmer sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean drive atmospheric circulation that brings warmer temperatures to West Antarctica during winter and spring. This is driven by a Rossby wave train pattern, which can account for half to all of the observed winter temperature changes in West Antarctica.
A recent study warns that human impacts on the Southern Ocean are degrading its unique ecology, threatening native fauna. The researchers highlight various human activities causing harm, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change, which are altering food webs and endangering species.
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.
Researchers found that refrozen ice makes up 24% of the ice sheet base around Dome A, with rates of refreezing greater than surface accumulation rates. This discovery reshapes understanding of how the ice sheet expands and moves, and its potential reaction to a warming climate.
Researchers at Alfred Wegener Institute expand prevailing theory on climate history by showing local climate changes in southern hemisphere can trigger temperature fluctuations in Antarctica. The study, published in Nature, suggests alternative explanation for historical Earth climate data from Antarctica.
Scientists analyzed annual growth bands in Antarctic bryozoans collected by Captain Scott and found increased carbon uptake and storage since 1990. This growth is linked to greater food availability, with phytoplankton being the primary source of energy.
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.
The NSF/NASA scientific balloon campaign launched a Cosmic Ray Energetics And Mass (CREAM VI) experiment to investigate high-energy cosmic-ray particles reaching Earth. The experiment will provide insights into the interaction of Earth's Van Allen radiation belts with its upper atmosphere.
Researchers have found significant regional variations in the western Antarctic ice sheet due to El Nino fluctuations, affecting global sea levels. The study suggests that precipitation patterns play a crucial role in mass balance changes, with the Antarctic Peninsula experiencing increased snowfall during La Nina years.
Researchers from UCLA and British Antarctic Survey have found the link between electrons trapped in space and the diffuse aurora. The discovery of VLF waves as the primary cause will help scientists understand 'space weather' and its effects on the Earth's atmosphere.
Research reveals that warmer temperatures in the tropics have a significant impact on life, even with small temperature increases. The study analyzed nearly 500 million temperature readings and found that metabolic rates increase faster in warmer temperatures, leading to greater effects in tropical regions.
A study published in Global Change Biology found similarities in bryozoan species on the continental shelves of the Ross and Weddell seas, separated by the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. This suggests that these regions were connected by a trans-Antarctic seaway in the recent past, possibly as recently as 125,000 years ago.
The Census of Marine Life has published a historic roll call of species in 25 biologically representative regions, revealing the most diverse marine ecosystems. The study found that Australian and Japanese waters are home to over 33,000 species, with mollusks and crustaceans making up half of all known species.
Researchers reconstructed summer temperatures on the Kola Peninsula and found a rapid temperature rise since 1990, contradicting previous cooling trends. The data suggest that solar activity may have been a significant factor contributing to Arctic temperature fluctuations until 1970.
Researchers from NASA and the Byrd Polar Research Center report that a 7 square kilometer section of the Jakobshavn Isbrae glacier broke up on July 6 and 7, with the calving front retreating nearly 1.5 kilometers in one day. This event is unusual due to its rapid detection and fine detail.
Scientists have discovered a 300m high ridge on the sea floor beneath Pine Island Glacier, causing it to accelerate its flow into the sea. The glacier's thinning ice allows warm ocean water to melt the underside, contributing nearly 10% of global sea level rise.
Research in the Western Antarctic Peninsula is crucial due to rapid climate change, with 87% of glaciers in retreat and sea ice no longer present. A multi-platform approach combining ships, satellites, and sensors will help quantify heat budgets and understand interactions between ice, atmosphere, and ocean.
Scientists from over 60 countries present research on the impact of human activities on land-based plants and animals in Antarctica. The study found that changes in ocean currents are linked to wind patterns around Antarctica, affecting the ecosystem.
Researchers recovered core samples from Antarctica, revealing a 53-million-year history of ice formation and interaction with climate. The findings provide crucial insights into the transition from a warm, greenhouse world to an icy 'icehouse' environment.
A research team led by the University of Georgia has discovered a previously unreported chemical mechanism for nitrous oxide production in Antarctic Don Juan Pond. The discovery could help space scientists understand the Martian nitrogen cycle and develop sensors to detect brines on Mars.
Researchers from Ohio State University have successfully drilled the deepest core in the Antarctic Peninsula, reaching a length of 445.6 meters. The core may contain ice dating back to the last ice age, providing valuable insights into past global climate changes.
Researchers at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory found evidence of hydrothermal vents near Antarctica, a discovery that could spur exploration of the distant mid-ocean ridge. The sites identified cover 340 miles of ridge line, offering a new area to study complex organisms and ocean chemistry.
Researchers are analyzing sediment and water samples from four distinct environments, including cold-dry Antarctica, to test a hypothesis about the planet's past climate. The team hopes to find 'markers' or indicators unique to erosion in this type of climate.
Scientists have identified over 6,000 unique species on the sea-floor, with many adapting to changing environmental conditions. Krill populations are reducing due to decreasing sea-ice cover, shifting the food web balance and affecting penguins that breed on the ice.
Increasing ocean acidity poses a significant threat to marine species, with potentially profound ramifications for food chains. A UAB expert warns that the effects of climate change on the world's oceans are undeniable and urgent.
The past year was tied for the second warmest since 1880, while January 2000 to December 2009 was the warmest decade on record. Global temperatures have increased by about 1.5 degrees F (0.8 degrees C) since 1880.