Articles tagged with Antarctica
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Two international studies analyzing Antarctic ice cores found warmer temperatures in East Antarctica during the last ice age, with temperatures averaging 6.1 degrees Celsius colder than today. The findings better match global climate models and strengthen confidence in their ability to simulate Earth's climate.
Researchers used two methods to reconstruct ancient Antarctica temperatures, finding that parts were 10 degrees below current temps, while others were only 4-5 degrees cooler. The study improves climate modeling and sheds light on the planet's sensitivity to greenhouse gases.
The journal features a special issue on the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project (ArCS), which covered topics such as climate change, atmospheric science, and oceanography. The project aimed to understand the impacts of global warming on the Arctic environment and human society.
An Indigenous Māori framework offers a new perspective on managing and conserving Antarctica, focusing on responsibilities rather than rights. This approach acknowledges the intrinsic link between human well-being and the environment, promoting reciprocal and sustainable relationships with the continent.
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully analyzed Micropholis stowi fossils excavated during a 2017-2018 collection trip to Antarctica. The findings reveal that this salamander-sized amphibian was more widespread than previously recognized, with evidence suggesting it could have adapted to various environments.
A University of Otago study found that the 1855 Wairarapa earthquake created an ecological opportunity for a previously South Island restricted seaweed species to colonize and establish itself in the North Island. This discovery highlights the potential of tectonic disturbance to shape biodiversity, including marine environments.
Researchers use geological records to recreate the history of Larsen C Ice Shelf, finding that it has remained stable for the past 10,000 years. Despite this, the team warns that warmer ocean currents and atmospheric temperatures could lead to future collapse.
A recent study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that the polar vortex plays a key role in Antarctic stratospheric ozone depletion. The research used ZSL-DOAS techniques to measure ozone depletion near the edge of the polar vortex, revealing a positive correlation between PV and total ozone columns.
A new study led by UMass Amherst's Rob DeConto models the impact of different warming scenarios on the Antarctic Ice Sheet, finding that exceeding Paris Agreement targets will accelerate sea-level rise. The research suggests that ambitious action to rein in warming is necessary to prevent catastrophic ice loss and sea level rise.
A Rutgers coauthored study suggests catastrophic sea-level rise from Antarctic melting may occur if global warming exceeds 2 degrees Celsius, triggering rapid ice-sheet retreat and collapse. The risk of such an event is lower if the Paris Agreement's target is met.
Scientists found a strong correlation between insect body size and temperature in fossil midges, revealing a promising new proxy for palaeotemperatures. The study suggests that insects can be used to reconstruct ancient climates dating back to the Cretaceous period.
Researchers use fiber optic cable to detect small earthquakes in ice, offering insights into ice movement and deformation under changing climate conditions. The technique also improves monitoring of underground carbon capture and storage projects.,
Researchers at UMass Amherst used a novel approach to model ancient Antarctic ice sheets, revealing a thick but diminished ice sheet under mid-Miocene warmest conditions. The study suggests that greater precipitation led to a thickening of the ice sheet's interior regions, with potential implications for future sea level rise.
Researchers discovered a low-altitude meteoritic touchdown event reaching the Antarctic ice sheet 430,000 years ago, leaving behind chondritic bulk major particles. The study highlights the importance of reassessing medium-sized asteroid threats and has implications for identifying similar events in deep sea sediment cores.
The AFoPS Science Symposium successfully promoted joint polar observations in the region, with six member countries presenting their latest research results. The event also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange information and ideas for future collaborative research.
Scientists observed hundreds of Larch Budmoths on Vize Island, with moths surviving up to 20 days after arrival. The study suggests that climate change is allowing southerly insects to colonize High Arctic islands, paving the way for forest insect invasion.
The Antarctic peninsula is expected to experience significant warming over the next two decades, with temperatures rising by 0.5 to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2044. Precipitation in the region is also projected to increase by 5% to 10%, posing a threat to the ice shelves and glaciers that cover it.
A recent study by Japanese and Australian scientists reveals that the Antarctic Peninsula is warming up due to changes in wind patterns caused by heating in the Tasman Sea. This warming trend has significant implications for sea levels worldwide.
Scientists used high-resolution data from ICESat-2 to map the depth and surface morphology of fractures in Antarctica's Amery Ice Shelf. The study identified three types of fractures up to 164 feet deep, providing insights into ice shelf stability and potential calving events.
Researchers used NASA's ICESat-2 satellite to track snowfall and found that 41% of height increases over West Antarctica during the 2019 winter occurred due to landfalling atmospheric rivers. These events delivered large quantities of snow during short periods, contributing to increased snow mass.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led study found record melting on Antarctica's northern George VI Ice Shelf during the 2019-2020 summer season. The extreme melt coincided with record-setting stretches when local surface air temperatures were at or above freezing point, posing a threat to ice-shelf break-up and sea-level rise.
Research finds widespread increases in ice speed across the Getz sector, with some ice accelerating into the ocean by nearly 50%. Thirteen glaciers are thinning and flowing more quickly into the ocean, contributing to a total loss of 315 gigatonnes of ice between 1994 and 2018.
A new study shows that rapid ice melt in the Arctic during the last deglaciation parallels current melt rates, raising concerns about climate change. The research used marine sediment cores to reconstruct the state of the environment 20,000-10,000 years ago and found a consistent correlation between global warming and ice sheet retreat.
University of Delaware Assistant Professor Carlos Moffat studies coastal systems and glacial ice retreat to understand global sea level rise. He will investigate freshwater discharge and its impact on ocean circulation and marine organisms.
Scientists from Alfred Wegener Institute found Arctic Ocean was filled with freshwater due to floating ice shelves. Freshwater inputs explained rapid climate oscillations.
New analysis of satellite data reveals Antarctica's ice melts at different rates each year, affecting sea level rise predictions. The study suggests that models used to predict sea-level change should reflect the dynamic nature of ice sheet changes.
A new study from Japan's National Institute of Polar Research has improved regional climate models using in-situ weather data collected over the Chukchi Sea. The research team found discrepancies between models in capturing cloud microphysics and sea surface energy budgets, highlighting the need for model improvement.
The Earth lost 28 trillion tonnes of ice between 1994 and 2017, equivalent to a sheet of ice 100m thick covering the UK. The rate of ice loss has increased markedly over the past three decades, driven by warming oceans and atmosphere.
A new study highlights the importance of adopting a network of marine protected areas around Antarctica to conserve breeding colonies of Antarctic penguins. The proposed MPAs would increase permanent conservation by 49-100%, depending on the species, and provide critical foraging grounds for penguin populations.
Researchers have discovered nine types of tonal ultrasonic seal vocalizations reaching up to 50 kHz in Antarctica's McMurdo Sound. The study suggests that Weddell seals may use these sounds for communication or echolocation.
Scientists aim to understand the recent collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to better gauge its potential risk in a warming climate. The Hercules Dome ice core will provide key evidence about past sea levels and ocean chemistry.
A paleobotanist is leading a team to Antarctica to collect and analyze fossilized flowering plants, providing insight into the early evolution of modern plants. The project aims to fill gaps in the fossil record and better understand the role of Antarctica in plant diversification.
A team of scientists found that melting ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere caused changes in the Antarctic ice sheet, which are thousands of miles away. This study sheds light on how global warming affects ice sheet stability and provides insight into future climate instability.
A new study by McGill University researchers demonstrates that changes in the Antarctic ice sheet were driven by melting ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere. The team used numerical modeling and geological records to simulate simultaneous changes in sea levels and ice dynamics, revealing a complex connection between the two hemispheres.
Researchers found subglacial waters in Antarctica and Greenland have higher concentrations of essential trace elements, challenging scientists' understanding of the Earth's geochemical processes. These discoveries may significantly impact the development of healthy ecosystems and the ocean waters receiving ice sheet meltwater.
A new study finds that atmospheric rivers in the Southern Hemisphere are shifting toward the South Pole, which could lead to increased rates of ice melt in Antarctica. The shift is driven by a combination of factors, including ozone depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and natural variations in sea surface temperature.
A new study reveals that polar climate variations can impact tropical trade winds via atmospheric and oceanic pathways. The research demonstrates that anomalous cooling in either hemisphere leads to a strengthening of the tropical trade winds.
The new multi-drone imaging system coordinates multiple autonomous drones to produce detailed visual surveys of penguin colonies, reducing survey time from two days to two-and-a-half hours. The system uses a route planning algorithm that prioritizes efficient coverage and maintains a safe distance from the ground.
A new study explores long-term if-then-scenarios to quantify the effects of Arctic summer sea-ice melting on global warming. The research reveals that complete Arctic sea-ice melt could lead to an additional 0.2°C of warming, threatening climate goals.
A team of researchers in Japan has created the most detailed and complete record yet of Earth's last magnetic reversal. The study reveals that the geomagnetic field became unstable at least 10,000 years prior to the magnetic direction change 773,000 years ago, and the full reversal process took at least 20,000 years.
A new international study by Monash University reveals that Antarctica's ice loss is expected to continue unabated for a long time, even if climate change is brought under control. The study found that rapid ice loss rates in the recent geological past were similar to those observed in rapidly changing parts of Antarctica today.
An all-female scientific coalition is advocating for a Marine Protected Area in the Western Antarctic Peninsula to mitigate the impacts of climate change on threatened species. The proposal aims to conserve and protect the unique ecosystem and its wildlife, including penguins, whales, and krill.
Researchers found evidence of past permafrost thawing in Arctic Ocean sediments during past climate warming events. The study suggests that even a few degrees Celsius of Arctic warming could trigger massive permafrost thawing and release of greenhouse gases, posing a risk to the climate system.
Researchers found that Antarctica's ice sheet can become unstable and melt at specific warming levels, leading to a rise in global sea levels. If global temperatures reach 4 degrees above pre-industrial levels, Antarctic melting alone could raise sea levels by over 6 meters.
International model comparison reveals Greenland Ice Sheet will contribute 9cm to global sea-level rise by 2100, while Antarctic predictions vary between -7.8 to 30cm. However, ice-sheet models for Greenland underestimate the current changes in the ice sheet due to climate change.
Scientists discovered a hibernation-like state in 250-million-year-old Antarctic animal, Lystrosaurus. The fossils showed signs of stress and strain, similar to those found in modern animals experiencing torpor, suggesting a possible adaptation to cope with the extreme winter conditions.
Scientists have discovered a hibernation-like state in an ancient Antarctic animal, dating back 250 million years. The discovery indicates that torpor arose in vertebrates even before mammals and dinosaurs evolved.
A new study finds that 50-70% of Antarctic ice shelves are at risk of rapid disintegration due to hydrofracturing, which could lead to significant sea-level rise. The research suggests that existing cracks in the shelves could provide routes for disintegration, and that warming temperatures could accelerate this process.
A Japanese expedition has identified a surprising melting hotspot in East Antarctica, with ice beneath Shirase Glacier Tongue melting at an alarming rate of 7-16 meters per year. This finding could significantly impact predictions of sea level rise and climate change, as the Antarctic ice sheet is Earth's largest freshwater reservoir.
Researchers have discovered a global phenomenon where microbes thrive on air, expanding the possibilities for microbial life beyond Earth. This process, known as atmospheric chemosynthesis, was previously thought to be unique to Antarctica, but is now found in soils across the Arctic and Tibetan Plateau.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led team has discovered a critical connection between equatorial winds and atmospheric waves at the South Pole. The study highlights how winds in the deep tropics affect the polar vortex, triggering outbreaks of cold weather patterns in mid latitudes.
A new study reveals that penguins originated along the coasts of Australia and New Zealand, 22 million years ago. The researchers also found that penguins are not adapting quickly enough to changing climate conditions, putting many populations at risk.
A New Zealand-led international study used satellite images and citizen science to uncover the secret lives of crabeater seals in Antarctica. The researchers found that crabeater seal distribution overlapped mostly with Antarctic krill habitat, highlighting the importance of conserving this ecosystem.
Researchers used a high-resolution climate model to compare Arctic sea ice conditions during the last interglacial with present-day data. The findings suggest that intense springtime sunshine led to the formation of melt ponds, which contributed to sea ice melt.
A new study reveals nearly 20% more emperor penguin colonies in Antarctica, totaling 61 colonies worldwide. The discovery uses satellite images to locate the birds, which are vulnerable to climate change and loss of sea ice breeding habitat.
Dome A's unique atmospheric properties make it an ideal location for optical and infrared astronomy, with measurements showing excellent seeing values of up to 0.13 arcseconds. The site's feasibility and cost-efficiency are enhanced by its lower boundary layer thickness compared to other Antarctic locations.
Scientists have identified Dome A in Antarctica as the best place on Earth to view distant stars, thanks to its extremely stable atmosphere. The location offers a unique opportunity to observe the universe with greatly reduced interference from atmospheric turbulence.
A new study published in Nature shows that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet retreated 700 kilometers inland during an interglacial warm period 400,000 years ago. This retreat contributed to a 3-4 meter increase in global sea level rise, with the Wilkes Basin playing a significant role.
Researchers have discovered an active methane seep in Antarctica, which provides new insights into the methane cycle and its role in global warming. The study reveals that microbes around the seep are fundamentally different from those found elsewhere in the world's oceans, allowing scientists to better understand how methane cycles work.
A recent study using 2.7 million human activity records found that humans have extensively used Antarctica over the last 200 years, with only 16% of Important Bird Areas located within negligibly impacted areas. This highlights the need for swift action to declare new protected areas and conserve biodiversity.