Articles tagged with Antarctica
A recent climate assessment reveals that Antarctica's ice sheet has been losing mass at an unprecedented rate, contributing to a threefold increase in global sea level rise. The continent's ice losses have risen from 53 billion tonnes per year in the 1990s to 159 billion tonnes per year since 2012.
A team of scientists has discovered that warm ocean water and surface meltwater are destabilizing Antarctic ice shelves, increasing the chances of catastrophic ice loss events. This finding is concerning as ice shelves slow down ice flow into the ocean and control sea level rise.
An international group of Antarctic research scientists presents two plausible future scenarios for the continent over the next 50 years. One scenario highlights reduced sea level rise and intact ecosystems if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, while the other depicts catastrophic consequences if emissions remain unchecked.
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.
Scientists discovered that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet rebounded by up to 400 kilometers 10,000 years ago due to isostatic rebound. However, this process is too slow to prevent ice sheet melting and sea-level rise caused by current climate change.
A new study from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) provides insights into the secret life of leopard seals, tracking their migration patterns between Antarctica's sea ice and sub-Antarctic islands. The research reveals that these apex predators spend up to one-third of their time out of the water, with behavior changes throughout the year.
A study led by Drexel University's Amanda Lough has shown that East Antarctica is seismically active, contradicting the long-held assumption that its inactivity was caused by ice. The seismic array detected 27 earthquakes in 2009, tripling the total number of recorded events.
A team of researchers has pinpointed a location where an entire million years of undisturbed ice might be preserved intact. The discovery aims to better understand natural climate changes and the history of the Ross Ice Shelf.
A new study of marine fossils from Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand and South America reveals that sea lilies remained in shallow waters until around 33 million years ago. The results provide conclusive evidence that this change happened at different times in different parts of the globe.
A 34-million-year-old fossil discovery in Antarctica has provided significant insights into the evolution of baleen whales. The ancient whale, Llanocetus denticrenatus, had well-developed teeth and gums instead of baleen, suggesting a transition from biting to filter feeding occurred over time.
The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration aims to understand the likelihood, timing, and magnitude of glacier collapse. The collaboration will deploy scientists with advanced equipment to measure ice-volume or ice-mass change in the region.
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.
Two newly discovered subglacial lakes beneath the Devon Ice Cap in the Canadian Arctic are thought to be the first isolated hypersaline lakes in the world. The lakes, containing water four to five times saltier than seawater, exist at temperatures below freezing and have the potential to support microbial life.
Scientists have analyzed 100-year-old samples of cyanobacteria from Captain Scott's Discovery expedition, providing a baseline for levels of cyanotoxins in Antarctic freshwater. The discovery enables researchers to study the effects of climate change on blue-green algae and their toxins in Antarctica.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have created the first complete map of how Antarctica's grounding line is shifting. The study found that eight of the ice sheet's largest glaciers are retreating at an extreme rate, with some losing over 25 meters per year.
Researchers found that methane in sea ice is transported thousands of kilometers across the Arctic Ocean and released months later, influencing climate change. The phenomenon has not been reflected in current climate models.
A new study predicts that global fisheries will be 20% less productive in 2300, with the North Atlantic and western Pacific experiencing significant declines. Climate change is expected to alter wind patterns, boost ocean temperatures, and melt sea ice, leading to a reduction in phytoplankton growth and nutrient transfer.
A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that delaying global CO2 emission peak by five years between 2020 and 2035 could result in an additional 20 cm of sea-level rise by 2300. The researchers used a combined climate-sea-level model to analyze the impact of delayed mitigation on global sea-level rise.
A new study reveals that the collapse of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in North America approximately 16,000 years ago led to significant climate variations in West Antarctica and the tropical Pacific. The research suggests a previously undocumented inter-polar climate change mechanism.
The EU-funded Arctic Research Icebreaker Consortium (ARICE) aims to improve access to research icebreakers and develop strategies for coordinated use of polar research vessels. The consortium will give scientists fully funded access to six research icebreakers, enabling them to conduct research in the Arctic Ocean.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of giant extinct burrowing bat in New Zealand, dating back to the Miocene era. The fossilized remains of Vulcanops jennyworthyae were found near St Bathans, with estimates suggesting it was three times the size of an average bat today.
New research reveals the East Antarctic Ice Sheet has undergone significant growth and shrinkage over millions of years, with frequent intervals of open water along the Sabrina Coast. This dynamic behavior is a concern as climate change raises global air temperatures and could lead to dramatic ice mass loss.
The longest-ever record of Earth's climate history has been assembled from the oldest ice core ever drilled outside the polar regions, revealing more than half a million years of climate history. The ice core provides dramatic evidence of a recent and rapid temperature rise at some of the highest, coldest mountain peaks in the world.
The East Antarctic Ice Sheet's stability is being questioned after a marine geologic survey found that some regions have been sensitive to climate change for millions of years. This ice mass loss could lead to catastrophic sea level rise, affecting Florida and other major US cities.
Scientists found that thinning small areas of floating ice at Antarctica's coast can trigger accelerated movement of grounded ice hundreds of kilometers inland. The study reveals that warming ocean waters and increased stress on the grounding line can lead to catastrophic ice loss, threatening cities worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that microbes in Antarctica can scavenge hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the air to sustain their energy needs. This discovery has significant implications for the search for life on other planets, suggesting that extra-terrestrial microbes could also rely on trace atmospheric gases.
A team of researchers from the University of Kansas is collecting fossilized plant remains in Antarctica to understand how plants will respond to contemporary climate change. By studying ancient plants, they aim to reconstruct the history of flora and ecosystems on a warming Earth.
Scientists from NOAA Fisheries' Southwest Fisheries Science Center and Aerial Imaging Solutions have developed a cheaper, faster way to gauge the condition of leopard seals using drone photos.
The VA001 and sUAS offer one-of-a-kind capabilities, including flying in extreme temperatures and detecting soil moisture levels. These aircraft represent the future of scientific research, enabling NASA scientists to advance state-of-the-art airborne capabilities.
Researchers found that katabatic winds in Antarctica cause sublimation of snowflakes, reducing precipitation and affecting the ice sheet's mass balance. This phenomenon could be worsened by climate change.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism that may explain how temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere spiked several degrees centigrade during the last global ice age. The study suggests Antarctica plays a role too, and linked melting ice there to rapid atmospheric warming in the North Atlantic.
New findings from the University of Copenhagen reveal that massive Antarctic volcanic eruptions coincided with accelerated deglaciation about 17,700 years ago. These eruptions created a stratospheric ozone hole over Antarctica, leading to large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
New research documents a 192-year series of volcanic eruptions in Antarctica that coincided with accelerated deglaciation about 17,700 years ago. These halogen-rich eruptions created a stratospheric ozone hole over Antarctica, leading to large-scale changes in atmospheric circulation and hydroclimate throughout the Southern Hemisphere.
A new study predicts that 79% of species native to the region will lose out due to warming, with more animals losing suitable habitat than gaining it. The average warming of 0.4 degrees predicted by 2099 will cause unique local species to change their distribution.
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.
A decade-long study in Antarctica's Dry Valleys reveals that an extreme melt season triggered changes in physical and biological characteristics, including increased soil species and population increases. The findings suggest that abrupt climate events can cause long-term alterations in polar ecosystems.
Researchers have released high-resolution maps of Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, allowing scientists to compare present-day conditions with lower-resolution surveys conducted 13 years ago. The data provide detailed topography and insights into landscape changes, including rapid erosion along streams.
A 2002 extreme melt season triggered long-term ecological changes in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys, altering the trajectory of an ecosystem over several years. The study highlights the importance of decadal data records in understanding how organisms respond to abrupt climate events.
The largest remaining ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula has lost 10% of its area after a giant iceberg four times the size of London broke free. Dr Anna Hogg and Dr Hilmar Gudmundsson tracked the iceberg using satellite technology, revealing that it has started to drift away from the Larsen-C and formed smaller icebergs.
Research reveals that strengthening winds in East Antarctica generate Kelvin waves that lead to increased melting along the West Antarctic Peninsula. This warming can drive up to 1°C of water temperature, contributing to significant ice shelf melt and potential sea-level rise.
Professor Matthew England has been awarded the Tinker-Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica for his outstanding research on the influence of the Southern Ocean on global climate. He is recognized for his leadership roles in international programs and commitment to translating global issues to local impacts.
A new study published in Nature reveals that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced significant and sustained ice loss over the past 11,000 years, driven by wind-driven incursions of warm water. The research provides crucial insights into the mechanisms behind this ice sheet's behavior and its contribution to sea-level rise.
Researchers have found that significant amounts of black carbon can persist in both pristine and non-pristine areas of snow, impacting climate change predictions. The study used molecular analysis to track the origins of black carbon, finding evidence of wildfires burning thousands of miles away in remote areas.
A new study found that ice-free areas in Antarctica could increase by up to 25% by the end of this century, potentially creating new habitat for biodiversity. However, the warming climate may also facilitate invasive species to establish themselves.
The Eurasian ice sheet's collapse 23,000 years ago led to a 20m drop in global sea level and severe flooding. The study reveals that this event was ten times more significant than current rates of ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
Researchers found that a large area of West Antarctica partially melted due to warm air caused by an especially strong El Nino, with satellite data revealing a mix of melted snow and ice over most of the Ross Ice Shelf. The study suggests that this warming event could be more frequent in the future with a warming climate.
A massive surface melt event occurred on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in 2015-2016, with melt episodes spanning most of the Ross Ice Shelf. The study suggests that strong El Niño events may become more common, leading to increased ice sheet instability and potential sea level rise.
Scientists discovered a sharp increase in moss growth on Antarctica's Antarctic Peninsula, indicating major changes in ecosystems. The study found clear evidence of 'changepoints' over the past half century, suggesting that plants and soils will alter substantially even with modest further warming.
A new study published in Earth System Dynamics finds that Antarctica's slower warming pace may be due to its high land height. The research suggests that if Antarctica were flat, it would warm more quickly due to changes in heat transport by the atmosphere and oceans.
A Hokkaido University researcher found a correlation between high tropical Pacific seawater temperatures and increased ice breakup in East Antarctica. The study suggests that warmer seawater triggers atmospheric waves, leading to large ice breakups at Syowa Station.
Researchers find that parts of Antarctica's ice sheet have remained stable for millions of years, despite recent warming. The discovery helps scientists refine predictions of the region's response to climate change and potential contribution to sea level rise.
New research contradicts previous study suggesting East Antarctic Ice Sheet gains mass, instead shows significant losses. The findings indicate Antarctica as a whole contributes to sea level rise, with the East Antarctic Ice Sheet playing a more limited role.
A new atlas presents the most comprehensive high-resolution imagery of the Polar Regions seafloor, showcasing thousands of square kilometers of geological phenomena. The atlas enables researchers to study past glaciers and ice sheets, gaining insights into climate change and Earth's history.
Scientists from British Antarctic Survey describe the role of föhn winds in influencing Antarctic ice shelf behavior. The study found that these winds contribute to melt pools and weaken the ice surface, making it more at risk of collapse.
A research team solved the century-old mystery of Blood Falls by using radar technology to detect brine feeding the famous red waterfall. They discovered that liquid water can persist inside extremely cold glaciers, challenging previous thought on this phenomenon.
A new study finds that Antarctica's biodiversity is lagging behind the rest of the world in protected area management and bioprospecting regulation. The region faces threats from warming oceans, melting ice cover, and transnational pollution, despite some successes in invasive species management.
A new survey found nearly 700 seasonal systems of interconnected ponds, channels and braided streams fringing Antarctica on all sides. The study reveals that warming projected for this century could quickly magnify the influence of these meltwater systems on sea level.
Researchers at EPFL's Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory developed an algorithm to classify six different classes of snowflakes, improving precipitation measurement and forecast accuracy. The study used high-resolution images of snowflakes taken from three angles and analyzed their shape, geometry, and electromagnetic properties.
An international study led by Monash scientists found that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean's biodiversity management is lagging behind the global average in some areas, but exceling in others. The study's findings have significant implications for conservation efforts globally.