Multiple modes of shoreline change along the Alaskan Beaufort Sea observed using ICESat-2 altimetry and satellite imagery

Multiple modes of shoreline change along the Alaskan Beaufort Sea observed using ICESat-2 altimetry and satellite imagery Marnie B. Bryant, Adrian A. Borsa, Eric J. Anderson, Claire C. Masteller, Roger J. Michaelides, Matthew R. Siegfried, and Adam P. Young The Cryosphere, 19, 1825–1847, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1825-2025, 2025 We measure shoreline change across a 7 km stretch of coastline on the Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast between 2019 and 2022 using multispectral imagery from Planet and satellite altimetry from ICESat-2. We find that shoreline change rates are high and variable and that different shoreline types show distinct patterns of change in shoreline position and topography. We discuss how the observed changes may be driven by both time-varying ocean and air conditions and spatial variations in morphology.

Internal clocks determine the ups and downs of Antarctic krill

Antarctic krill do not only react to external environmental influences such as light or food. They also use their internal clock to adapt to the extreme conditions of the polar environment.

Glacier in Antarctica Caught Committing Ice Piracy From Its Neighbor

Learn how and why a glacier is committing “ice piracy” in Antarctica, and what it could mean for rising sea levels.

NASA telescopes tune into a black hole prelude and fugue

NASA has released three new pieces of cosmic sound that are associated with the densest and darkest members of our universe: black holes. These scientific productions are sonifications—or translations into sound—of data collected by NASA telescopes in space, including the Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope, and Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).

The system of atmosphere, land, ice and ocean in the region near the 79N Glacier in northeast Greenland: synthesis and key findings from the Greenland Ice Sheet–Ocean Interaction (GROCE) experiment

The system of atmosphere, land, ice and ocean in the region near the 79N Glacier in northeast Greenland: synthesis and key findings from the Greenland Ice Sheet–Ocean Interaction (GROCE) experiment Torsten Kanzow, Angelika Humbert, Thomas Mölg, Mirko Scheinert, Matthias Braun, Hans Burchard, Francesca Doglioni, Philipp Hochreuther, Martin Horwath, Oliver Huhn, Maria Kappelsberger, Jürgen Kusche, Erik Loebel, Katrina Lutz, Ben Marzeion, Rebecca McPherson, Mahdi Mohammadi-Aragh, Marco Möller, Carolyne Pickler, Markus Reinert, Monika Rhein, Martin Rückamp, Janin Schaffer, Muhammad Shafeeque, Sophie Stolzenberger, Ralph Timmermann, Jenny Turton, Claudia Wekerle, and Ole Zeising The Cryosphere, 19, 1789–1824, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1789-2025, 2025 The Greenland Ice Sheet represents the second-largest contributor to global sea-level rise. We quantify atmosphere, ice and ocean processes related to the mass balance of glaciers in northeast Greenland, focusing on Greenland’s largest floating ice tongue, the 79° N Glacier. We find that together, the different in situ and remote sensing observations and model simulations reveal a consistent picture of a coupled atmosphere–ice sheet–ocean system that has entered a phase of major change.

Disentangling the oceanic drivers behind the post-2000 retreat of Sermeq Kujalleq, Greenland (Jakobshavn Isbræ)

Disentangling the oceanic drivers behind the post-2000 retreat of Sermeq Kujalleq, Greenland (Jakobshavn Isbræ) Ziad Rashed, Alexander A. Robel, and Hélène Seroussi The Cryosphere, 19, 1775–1788, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1775-2025, 2025 Sermeq Kujalleq, Greenland's largest glacier, has significantly retreated since the late 1990s in response to warming ocean temperatures. Using a large-ensemble approach, our simulations show that the retreat is mainly initiated by the arrival of warm water but sustained and accelerated by the glacier's position over deeper bed troughs and vigorous calving. We highlight the need for models of ice mélange to project glacier behavior under rapid calving regimes.

Satellites observe glacier committing 'ice piracy'

A glacier in Antarctica is committing 'ice piracy' -- stealing ice from a neighbor -- in a phenomenon that has never been observed in such a short time frame, say scientists.

Antarctic glacier caught stealing ice from neighbour

Thanks largely to Copernicus Sentinel-1, scientists have discovered that a glacier in Antarctica is rapidly siphoning ice from neighbouring flows – at a pace never before seen. Until now, researchers believed that this process of ‘ice piracy’ in Antarctica took hundreds or even thousands of years, but these latest findings clearly demonstrate that this isn’t always the case.

Speed-up, slowdown, and redirection of ice flow on neighbouring ice streams in the Pope, Smith, and Kohler region of West Antarctica

Speed-up, slowdown, and redirection of ice flow on neighbouring ice streams in the Pope, Smith, and Kohler region of West Antarctica Heather L. Selley, Anna E. Hogg, Benjamin J. Davison, Pierre Dutrieux, and Thomas Slater The Cryosphere, 19, 1725–1738, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1725-2025, 2025 We used satellite observations to measure recent changes in ice speed and flow direction in the Pope, Smith, and Kohler region of West Antarctica (2005–2022). We found substantial speed-up on seven ice streams of up to 87 %. However, Kohler West Glacier has slowed by 10 %, due to the redirection of ice flow into its rapidly thinning neighbour. This process of “ice piracy” has not previously been directly observed on this rapid timescale and may influence future ice shelf and sheet mass changes.

Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland spying report

US spy agencies have been told to step up espionage around Greenland, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Smart spongy device captures water from thin air

Engineers have invented a sponge-like device that captures water from thin air and then releases it in a cup using the sun's energy, even in low humidity where other technologies such as fog harvesting and radiative cooling have struggled. The water-from-air device remained effective across a broad range of humidity levels (30 -- 90%) and temperatures (5 -- 55 degrees Celsius).

Dangerous fungal spores can surf the stratosphere—and survive

Airborne device captures hitchhiking species from all over the world floating many kilometers above Earth’s surface

Impact of shrub branches on the shortwave vertical irradiance profile in snow

Impact of shrub branches on the shortwave vertical irradiance profile in snow Florent Domine, Mireille Quémener, Ludovick Bégin, Benjamin Bouchard, Valérie Dionne, Sébastien Jerczynski, Raphaël Larouche, Félix Lévesque-Desrosiers, Simon-Olivier Philibert, Marc-André Vigneault, Ghislain Picard, and Daniel C. Côté The Cryosphere, 19, 1757–1774, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1757-2025, 2025 Shrubs buried in snow absorb solar radiation and reduce irradiance in the snowpack. This decreases photochemical reaction rates and emissions to the atmosphere. By monitoring irradiance in snowpacks with and without shrubs, we conclude that shrubs absorb solar radiation as much as 140 ppb of soot and reduce irradiance by a factor of 2. Shrub expansion in the Arctic may therefore affect tropospheric composition during the snow season with climatic effects.

Western US spring runoff is older than you think

Hydrologists show most streamflow out of the West's mountains is old snowmelt on a multi-year underground journey. New study finds that spring runoff is on average 5 years old.

Biological particles may be crucial for inducing heavy rain

Atmospheric and climate scientists show that biological particles may induce rain events that could contribute to flooding and snowstorms, owing to their ability to precipitate ice formation in clouds. They call for an update of meteorological and climate models.

Loss of sea ice alters the colors of light in the ocean

The disappearance of sea ice in polar regions due to global warming not only increases the amount of light entering the ocean, but also changes its color. These changes have far-reaching consequences for photosynthetic organisms such as ice algae and phytoplankton.

Cell cycle duration determines oncogenic transformation capacity

Nature, Published online: 30 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08935-x

Plant diversity dynamics over space and time in a warming Arctic

Nature, Published online: 30 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08946-8

Biomass launch highlights

Video: 00:02:59

ESA’s state-of-the-art Biomass satellite launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 29 April 2025 at 11:15 CEST (06:15 local time).

In orbit, this latest Earth Explorer mission will provide vital insights into the health and dynamics of the world’s forests, revealing how they are changing over time and, critically, enhancing our understanding of their role in the global carbon cycle. It is the first satellite to carry a fully polarimetric P-band synthetic aperture radar for interferometric imaging. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, the radar signal can slice through the whole forest layer to measure the ‘biomass’, meaning the woody trunks, branches and stems, which is where trees store most of their carbon.

Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Access the related broadcast quality video material.

United Airlines grows highest-end Polaris airport lounge by 50% in battle for wealthy customers

United has been expanding its Polaris lounges in Chicago and Newark to fit more customers.

Replay: Biomass launch coverage

Video: 01:54:04

ESA’s state-of-the-art Biomass satellite launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 29 April 2025 at 11:15 CEST (06:15 local time).

In orbit, this latest Earth Explorer mission will provide vital insights into the health and dynamics of the world’s forests, revealing how they are changing over time and, critically, enhancing our understanding of their role in the global carbon cycle. It is the first satellite to carry a fully polarimetric P-band synthetic aperture radar for interferometric imaging. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, the radar signal can slice through the whole forest layer to measure the ‘biomass’, meaning the woody trunks, branches and stems, which is where trees store most of their carbon.

Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Access the related broadcast quality video material.

Launch of ESA’s Biomass mission from Kourou

Video: 00:00:00

ESA’s state-of-the-art Biomass satellite launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 29 April 2025 at 11:15 CEST (06:15 local time).

In orbit, this latest Earth Explorer mission will provide vital insights into the health and dynamics of the world’s forests, revealing how they are changing over time and, critically, enhancing our understanding of their role in the global carbon cycle. It is the first satellite to carry a fully polarimetric P-band synthetic aperture radar for interferometric imaging. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, the radar signal can slice through the whole forest layer to measure the ‘biomass’, meaning the woody trunks, branches and stems, which is where trees store most of their carbon.

Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

ESA’s Biomass mission launches on Vega-C

Video: 00:02:01

ESA’s state-of-the-art Biomass satellite has launched aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket lifted off on 29 April 2025 at 11:15 CEST (06:15 local time).

In orbit, this latest Earth Explorer mission will provide vital insights into the health and dynamics of the world’s forests, revealing how they are changing over time and, critically, enhancing our understanding of their role in the global carbon cycle. It is the first satellite to carry a fully polarimetric P-band synthetic aperture radar for interferometric imaging. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, the radar signal can slice through the whole forest layer to measure the ‘biomass’, meaning the woody trunks, branches and stems, which is where trees store most of their carbon.

Vega-C is the evolution of the Vega family of rockets and delivers increased performance, greater payload volume and improved competitiveness.

Modern farming has carved away earth faster than ancient ice sheets

Minnesota study adds to growing evidence of human-accelerated erosion, which could jeopardize agriculture

Cloud software vendors Atlassian, Snowflake and Workday are betting on security startup Veza

Veza raised $108 million in a new funding round, with participation from some of the leading cloud software vendors.

Brief communication: Storstrømmen Glacier, northeastern Greenland, primed for end-of-decade surge

Brief communication: Storstrømmen Glacier, northeastern Greenland, primed for end-of-decade surge Jonas K. Andersen, Rasmus P. Meyer, Flora S. Huiban, Mads L. Dømgaard, Romain Millan, and Anders A. Bjørk The Cryosphere, 19, 1717–1724, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1717-2025, 2025 Storstrømmen Glacier in northeastern Greenland goes through cycles of sudden flow speed-ups (known as surges) followed by long quiet phases. It is currently in its quiet phase, but recent measurements suggest it may be nearing conditions for a new surge, possibly between 2027 and 2040. We also observed several lake drainages that caused brief increases in glacier flow but did not trigger a surge. Continued monitoring is essential to understand how these processes influence glacier behavior.

A forensic investigator of glacier change

Nature, Published online: 28 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01300-y

Greenland not a piece of property, says PM after Trump threats

Jens-Frederick Nielsen says the island must "stand together" with Denmark during a highly symbolic visit to Copenhagen.

'Cryosphere meltdown' will impact Arctic marine carbon cycles and ecosystems, new study warns

A new study has found worrying signs that climate change may be undermining the capacity of Arctic fjords to serve as effective carbon sinks. The findings suggest that the capacity of polar oceans to remove carbon from the atmosphere may be reduced as the world continues to heat up.

Glacial ring forms on Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut, Canada

Glacial ring forms on Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut, Canada Shannon M. Hibbard, Gordon R. Osinski, Etienne Godin, Chimira Andres, Antero Kukko, Shawn Chartrand, Anna Grau Galofre, A. Mark Jellinek, and Wendy Boucher The Cryosphere, 19, 1695–1716, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1695-2025, 2025 This study investigates enigmatic ring forms found on Axel Heiberg Island (Umingmat Nunaat) in Nunavut, Canada. These ring forms comprised a series of ridges and troughs creating individual rings or brain-like patterns. We aim to identify how they form and assess the past climate conditions necessary for their formation. We use surface and subsurface observations and comparisons to other periglacial and glacial ring forms to infer a formation mechanism and propose a glacial origin. 

Automated snow cover detection on mountain glaciers using spaceborne imagery and machine learning

Automated snow cover detection on mountain glaciers using spaceborne imagery and machine learning Rainey Aberle, Ellyn Enderlin, Shad O'Neel, Caitlyn Florentine, Louis Sass, Adam Dickson, Hans-Peter Marshall, and Alejandro Flores The Cryosphere, 19, 1675–1693, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1675-2025, 2025 Tracking seasonal snow on glaciers is critical for understanding glacier health. Yet previous work has not directly compared machine learning algorithms for snow classification across satellite image products. To address this, we developed a new automated workflow for tracking seasonal snow on glaciers using several image products and machine learning models. Applying this method can help provide insights into glacier health, water resources, and the effects of climate change on snow cover.

Largest imaging spectro-polarimeter achieves first light at solar telescope

The U.S. National Science Foundation Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, the world's most powerful solar telescope, operated by the NSF National Solar Observatory (NSO) near the summit of Maui's Haleakalā, reached a major milestone: achieving first light with its most advanced instrument, the new Visible Tunable Filter (VTF).

Changes in Antarctic surface conditions and potential for ice shelf hydrofracturing from 1850 to 2200

Changes in Antarctic surface conditions and potential for ice shelf hydrofracturing from 1850 to 2200 Nicolas C. Jourdain, Charles Amory, Christoph Kittel, and Gaël Durand The Cryosphere, 19, 1641–1674, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1641-2025, 2025 A mixed statistical–physical approach is used to reproduce the behaviour of a regional climate model. From that, we estimate the contribution of snowfall and melting at the surface of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to changes in global mean sea level. We also investigate the impact of surface melting in a warmer climate on the stability of the Antarctic ice shelves that provide back stress on the ice flow to the ocean.

Mapping seasonal snow melting in Karakoram using SAR and topographic data

Mapping seasonal snow melting in Karakoram using SAR and topographic data Shiyi Li, Lanqing Huang, Philipp Bernhard, and Irena Hajnsek The Cryosphere, 19, 1621–1639, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1621-2025, 2025 This work presents an improved method for seasonal wet snow mapping in Karakoram using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and topographic data. This method enables robust wet snow classification in complex mountainous terrain. Large-scale wet snow maps were generated using the proposed method, covering three major water basins in Karakoram over 4 years (2017–2021). Crucial snow variables were further derived from the maps and provided valuable insights on regional snow melting dynamics.

Fingerprints of city-sized icebergs found off UK coast

Deep tracks gouged in the seafloor off the coast of Scotland could help us understand Antarctica today.

Why are Patagonian glaciers rapidly losing mass?

Over the past two decades, satellite-based planetary observations have recorded rapid mass loss of Patagonian glaciers, contributing approximately 0.07 mm per year to global sea-level rise. A study links this mass loss to a poleward shift of subtropical high-pressure systems. This large-scale atmospheric circulation change brings more warm air to Patagonia, thereby accelerating glacier melt.

Melting glaciers at the end of the Ice Age may have sped up continental drift, fueled volcanic eruptions

Scientists believe that the motion of Earth's continents through plate tectonics has been largely steady over millions of years. New research, however, suggests this drift can speed up or slow down over relatively short time periods.

Lifting the canopy on Earth’s forests

Video: 00:02:22

ESA’s state-of-the-art Biomass  mission has been designed to shed new light on the health and dynamics of the world’s forests, revealing how they are changing over time and, critically, enhancing our understanding of their role in the global carbon cycle. It is the first satellite to carry a fully polarimetric P-band synthetic aperture radar for interferometric imaging. Thanks to the long wavelength of P-band, around 70 cm, the radar signal can slice through the forest canopy and whole forest layer to measure the ‘biomass’, meaning the woody trunks, branches and stems, which is where trees store most of their carbon.

Glacier damage evolution over ice flow timescales

Glacier damage evolution over ice flow timescales Meghana Ranganathan, Alexander A. Robel, Alexander Huth, and Ravindra Duddu The Cryosphere, 19, 1599–1619, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1599-2025, 2025 The rate of ice loss from ice sheets is controlled by the flow of ice from the center of the ice sheet and by the internal fracturing of the ice. These processes are coupled; fractures reduce the viscosity of ice and enable more rapid flow, and rapid flow causes the fracturing of ice. We present a simplified way of representing damage that is applicable to long-timescale flow estimates. Using this model, we find that including fracturing in an ice sheet simulation can increase the loss of ice by 13–29 %.

Effects of glacial forcing on lithospheric motion and ridge spreading

Nature, Published online: 23 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08846-x

Major dust-up for water in the Colorado River

Dust-on-snow is a major threat to water in the Colorado River, yet no snowmelt forecasts integrate dust-accelerated melt. Using pioneering remote sensing techniques, new research is the first to capture how dust impacts the headwaters of the Colorado River system. The new method could help predict the timing and magnitude of snow darkening and impacts on melt rates on snowpacks, in real time.

Australia’s gen Z men aren’t monsters in the making – they just feel short-changed | Intifar Chowdhury

Instead of alarmism or shaming, we need to create spaces where young men feel heard, challenged and supported

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For years, we’ve looked at democracies like the US, Germany and South Korea, disturbed by what a nation divided along gender and generation lines could look like. Australia, by comparison, seemed less polarised, but new research hints that something’s starting to shift – slowly, unevenly and with plenty of caveats – among young Australians too.

But let’s not jump the gun – because the story is more complicated than it first appears, and framing “young men” as a purely reactionary force isn’t going to get us anywhere helpful.

Arctic researchers need to find ways to keep working together

Nature, Published online: 22 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01239-0

Did it rain or snow on ancient Mars? New study suggests it did

Visit ancient Mars—a surprisingly temperate planet where snow or rain falls from the sky, and rivers rush down valleys to feed hundreds of lakes.

Searching for life on Mars in the snow and ice

The surface of Mars is extremely cold, irradiated, and desiccated. But at one time, the planet was much warmer and wetter, with flowing water, lakes, and even an ocean covering most of its northern hemisphere. Because of this, scientists speculate that life may have emerged on Mars billions of years ago and could still be there today. Ever since the Viking 1 and 2 missions landed on the surface in 1976, the search for evidence of past (and maybe present) life has been ongoing.

Could AI text alerts help save snow leopards from extinction?

In Pakistan, it's hoped newly-developed AI cameras could warn villagers via text to move their livestock if snow leopards enter the area.

It’s Springtime on Polaris-9b, and the Exoflowers Are Blooming

An artist imagines the flora of distant, nonexistent worlds.

Sexual misconduct helpline offers support for NSF community

The resource is an expansion of the agency’s efforts to address harassment in the U.S. Antarctic Program

PUNCH mission instruments collect first images

The Southwest Research Institute-led Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission collected its first images following its March 11 launch into polar orbit around Earth. The mission's four small suitcase-sized spacecraft will act as a single virtual instrument 8,000 miles across to image the solar corona, the sun's outer atmosphere, as it transitions into the solar wind that fills and defines our solar system.

Heavy snow blocks Alpine resorts in Switzerland and France

A Swiss ski resort is cut off and people have been told to stay indoors in the French resort of Tignes.

A reconstruction of the ice thickness of the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet north of 70° S

A reconstruction of the ice thickness of the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet north of 70° S Kaian Shahateet, Johannes J. Fürst, Francisco Navarro, Thorsten Seehaus, Daniel Farinotti, and Matthias Braun The Cryosphere, 19, 1577–1597, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1577-2025, 2025 In the present work, we provide a new ice thickness reconstruction of the Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet north of 70º S using inversion modeling. This model consists of two steps: the first uses basic assumptions of the rheology of the glacier, and the second uses mass conservation to improve the reconstruction where the assumptions made previously are expected to fail. Validation with independent data showed that our reconstruction improved compared to other reconstructions that are available.

Resurrected pools, remnants of last ice age, attract wildlife in Norfolk

Seeds can germinate having been buried in sediments of ‘ghost ponds’ for thousands of years

Ghosts of the ice age are being resurrected in Norfolk. When the ice sheets retreated at the end of the last ice age, mounds of ice called pingos remained underground until they thawed and the soil slumped, leaving behind shallow hollows that filled with water.

These turned into swampy wetland habitats rich in plants and wildlife and Breckland, in Norfolk, became pocked with hundreds of these pingo pools, although many of them were later filled in for farmland and became lost.

The impact of Antarctic ice-shelf cavities on Earth system dynamics

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 16 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02307-z

Cataclysmic variable ASASSN–14dx contains a massive pulsating white dwarf, observations find

An international team of astronomers has performed optical photometric, polarimetric and spectroscopic observations of a cataclysmic variable system known as ASASSN–14dx. Results of the new observations, published April 9 on the arXiv preprint server, indicate that the system harbors a massive pulsating white dwarf.

Ice sheet model simulations reveal that polythermal ice conditions existed across the northeastern USA during the Last Glacial Maximum

Ice sheet model simulations reveal that polythermal ice conditions existed across the northeastern USA during the Last Glacial Maximum Joshua K. Cuzzone, Aaron Barth, Kelsey Barker, and Mathieu Morlighem The Cryosphere, 19, 1559–1575, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1559-2025, 2025 We use an ice sheet model to simulate the Last Glacial Maximum conditions of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) across the northeastern United States. A complex thermal history existed for the LIS that caused high erosion across most of the NE USA but prevented erosion across high-elevation mountain peaks and areas where ice flow was slow. This has implications for geologic studies which rely on the erosional nature of the LIS to reconstruct its glacial history and landscape evolution.

Pioneering research reveals Arctic matter pathways poised for major shifts amidst climate change

A new study has shed unprecedented light on the highly variable and climate-sensitive routes that substances from Siberian rivers use to travel across the Arctic Ocean. The findings raise fresh concerns about the increasing spread of pollutants and the potential consequences for fragile polar ecosystems as climate change accelerates.

Impact of snow thermal conductivity schemes on pan-Arctic permafrost dynamics in the Community Land Model version 5.0

Impact of snow thermal conductivity schemes on pan-Arctic permafrost dynamics in the Community Land Model version 5.0 Adrien Damseaux, Heidrun Matthes, Victoria R. Dutch, Leanne Wake, and Nick Rutter The Cryosphere, 19, 1539–1558, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1539-2025, 2025 Models often underestimate the role of snow cover in permafrost regions, leading to soil temperatures and permafrost dynamics inaccuracies. Through the use of a snow thermal conductivity scheme better adapted to this region, we mitigated soil temperature biases and permafrost extent overestimation within a land surface model. Our study sheds light on the importance of refining snow-related processes in models to enhance our understanding of permafrost dynamics in the context of climate change.

US fires Greenland military base chief for 'undermining' Vance

The US military said it had lost confidence in Colonel Susannah Meyers' ability to lead.

Danish shoppers boycott U.S. products as Greenland — and trade — tensions escalate

Incensed by President Donald Trump's posturing over Greenland and sweeping trade tariffs, Danish shoppers are turning their backs on American products.

Regional conditions determine thresholds of accelerated Antarctic basal melt in climate projection

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 10 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02306-0

Mapping mercury contamination in penguins of the Southern Ocean

In 1962, when environmentalist and author Rachel Carson penned 'Silent Spring,' alerting the world to the dangers of the pesticide DDT, it was the reproductive threat to birds -- the bald eagle in particular -- that spurred people to action. Six decades later, researchers are taking the measure of another global environmental pollutant by drawing parallels to the crisis Carson identified. This time, the pollutant is mercury, and the sentinels are penguins living in the farthest reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Giant electrocaloric effect in high-polar-entropy perovskite oxides

Nature, Published online: 09 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08768-8

Daily briefing: Tonka bean trees survive lightning strikes that kill their competitors

Nature, Published online: 09 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01186-w

Does US science have a future in Antarctica? Trump cuts threaten to cancel fieldwork and more

Nature, Published online: 08 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01055-6

Researchers discover why plastic sheds dangerous fragments

The world is littered with trillions of micro- and nanoscopic pieces of plastic. These can be smaller than a virus -- just the right size to disrupt cells and even alter DNA. Researchers find them almost everywhere they've looked, from Antarctic snow to human blood. In a new study, scientists have delineated the molecular process that causes these small pieces to break off in such large quantities.

Separating the albedo-reducing effect of different light-absorbing particles on snow using deep learning

Separating the albedo-reducing effect of different light-absorbing particles on snow using deep learning Lou-Anne Chevrollier, Adrien Wehrlé, Joseph M. Cook, Norbert Pirk, Liane G. Benning, Alexandre M. Anesio, and Martyn Tranter The Cryosphere, 19, 1527–1538, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1527-2025, 2025 Light-absorbing particles (LAPs) are often present as a mixture on snow surfaces and are important to disentangle because their darkening effects vary but also because the processes governing their presence and accumulation on snow surfaces are different. This study presents a novel method to retrieve the concentration and albedo-reducing effect of different LAPs present at the snow surface from surface spectral albedo. The method is then successfully applied to ground observations on seasonal snow.

Iranian president sacks deputy for 'lavish' Antarctic cruise

President says trip by Shahram Dabiri, the vice-president for parliamentary affairs, was "indefensible" while Iran's economy suffers.

South Korea's president is out - but he leaves behind a polarised country

A pro-Yoon fringe movement, stoked by right-wing YouTubers, has become more energised and extreme.

Four space tourists return to Earth after a private flight over the poles

Four space tourists who orbited the north and south poles returned to Earth on Friday, splashing down in the Pacific to end their privately funded polar tour.

Long-term development of a perennial firn aquifer on the Lomonosovfonna ice cap, Svalbard

Long-term development of a perennial firn aquifer on the Lomonosovfonna ice cap, Svalbard Tim van den Akker, Ward van Pelt, Rickard Petterson, and Veijo A. Pohjola The Cryosphere, 19, 1513–1525, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1513-2025, 2025 Liquid water can persist within old snow on glaciers and ice caps if it can percolate into the snow before it refreezes. Snow is a good insulator, and it is porous where the percolated water can be stored. If this happens, the water piles up and forms a groundwater-like system. Here, we show observations of such a groundwater-like system found in Svalbard. We demonstrate that it behaves like a groundwater system and use that to model the development of the water table from 1957 until the present day.

Inter-model differences in 21st century glacier runoff for the world's major river basins

Inter-model differences in 21st century glacier runoff for the world's major river basins Finn Wimberly, Lizz Ultee, Lilian Schuster, Matthias Huss, David R. Rounce, Fabien Maussion, Sloan Coats, Jonathan Mackay, and Erik Holmgren The Cryosphere, 19, 1491–1511, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1491-2025, 2025 Glacier models have historically been used to understand glacier melt’s contribution to sea level rise. The capacity to project seasonal glacier runoff is a relatively recent development for these models. In this study we provide the first model intercomparison of runoff projections for the glacier evolution models capable of simulating future runoff globally. We compare model projections from 2000 to 2100 for all major river basins larger than 3000 km2 with over 30 km2 of initial glacier cover.

Denmark and Greenland show united front against US 'annexation' threats

The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says the US "cannot annex other countries".

How hidden lakes threaten Antarctic Ice Sheet stability

For decades, satellites have played a crucial role in our understanding of the remote polar regions. The ongoing loss of Antarctic ice, owing to the climate crisis, is, sadly, no longer surprising. However, satellites do more than just track the accelerating flow of glaciers towards the ocean and measure ice thickness.

New research highlights how ESA’s CryoSat mission has been used to uncover the hidden impact of subglacial lakes – vast reservoirs of water buried deep under the ice – that can suddenly drain into the ocean in dramatic outbursts and affect ice loss.

Southern Ocean warming will mean a wetter West Coast, US

As global temperatures warm, the Southern Ocean -- between Antarctica and other continents -- will eventually release heat absorbed from the atmosphere, leading to projected long-term increases in precipitation over East Asia and the Western U.S., regardless of climate mitigation efforts.

Metal Contaminants From Mines Lurk in Rocky Mountain Snow

Learn about the worsening state of snowpack in the northern Rocky Mountains., which has been contaminated by mercury and other metals from nearby mines.

Chicago-Sized Iceberg Breaks Away From Ice Sheet, Revealing Thriving Ecosystem

Learn more about the ecosystem that’s remained under the ice for centuries.

Rocky Mountain snow is contaminated, study shows

Mountain snowpacks accumulate snow throughout the winter, building up stores of water that will supply communities across the American West throughout the long dry season. Now, a new study shows that as storms carry snow to the Rocky Mountains, they are also bringing mercury and other contaminants from mines in the region. The research helps scientists understand how contaminants are spread by atmospheric circulation and has implications for snowpack preservation and illuminating the lasting environmental impact of mining activities.

Lunar polar regions could have microbes, modeling study suggests

Could microbes survive in the permanently shadowed regions (PSRs) of the moon? This is what a recent study presented at the 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC 2025) hopes to address as a team of researchers from the United States and Canada investigated the likelihood of long-term survival for microbes in the PSR areas of the moon, which are craters located at the poles that don't see sunlight due to the moon's small axial tilt.

Bitcoin investor buys an entire SpaceX flight for the ultimate polar adventure

A bitcoin investor who bought a SpaceX flight for himself and three polar explorers blasted off Monday night on the first rocket ride to carry people over the North and South poles.

Recent observations and glacier modeling point towards near-complete glacier loss in western Austria (Ötztal and Stubai mountain range) if 1.5 °C is not met

Recent observations and glacier modeling point towards near-complete glacier loss in western Austria (Ötztal and Stubai mountain range) if 1.5 °C is not met Lea Hartl, Patrick Schmitt, Lilian Schuster, Kay Helfricht, Jakob Abermann, and Fabien Maussion The Cryosphere, 19, 1431–1452, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1431-2025, 2025 We use regional observations of glacier area and volume change to inform glacier evolution modeling in the Ötztal and Stubai range (Austrian Alps) until 2100 in different climate scenarios. Glaciers in the region lost 23 % of their volume between 2006 and 2017. Under current warming trajectories, glacier loss in the region is expected to be near-total by 2075. We show that integrating regional calibration and validation data in glacier models is important to improve confidence in projections.

The source, quantity, and spatial distribution of interfacial water during glide-snow avalanche release: experimental evidence from field monitoring

The source, quantity, and spatial distribution of interfacial water during glide-snow avalanche release: experimental evidence from field monitoring Amelie Fees, Michael Lombardo, Alec van Herwijnen, Peter Lehmann, and Jürg Schweizer The Cryosphere, 19, 1453–1468, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1453-2025, 2025 Glide-snow avalanches release at the soil–snow interface due to a loss of friction, which is suspected to be linked to interfacial water. The importance of the interfacial water was investigated with a spatio-temporal monitoring setup for soil and local snow on an avalanche-prone slope. Seven glide-snow avalanches were released on the monitoring grid (winter seasons 2021/22 to 2023/24) and provided insights into the source, quantity, and spatial distribution of interfacial water before avalanche release.

Spectral characteristics of seismic ambient vibrations reveal changes in the subglacial environment of Glacier de la Plaine Morte, Switzerland

Spectral characteristics of seismic ambient vibrations reveal changes in the subglacial environment of Glacier de la Plaine Morte, Switzerland Janneke van Ginkel, Fabian Walter, Fabian Lindner, Miroslav Hallo, Matthias Huss, and Donat Fäh The Cryosphere, 19, 1469–1490, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1469-2025, 2025 This study on Glacier de la Plaine Morte in Switzerland employs various passive seismic analysis methods to identify complex hydraulic behaviours at the ice–bedrock interface. In 4 months of seismic records, we detect spatio-temporal variations in the glacier's basal interface, following the drainage of an ice-marginal lake. We identify a low-velocity layer, whose properties are determined using modelling techniques. This low-velocity layer results from temporary water storage subglacially.

4 astronauts to be the first to orbit the poles on a privately funded SpaceX mission

SpaceX is planning a launch as early as Monday evening. If successful, it will mark the first crewed mission to polar orbit and the first mission to cultivate mushrooms as a crop

Thinner Arctic sea ice may affect global ocean circulation

One of the ocean currents in the Arctic Ocean is at risk of disappearing this century because of climate change, according to a new study. As a result, the North Atlantic could be flooded with freshwater which would weaken the global ocean circulation.

Battle over Greenland heats up with Denmark's PM set to visit just days after JD Vance

The battle over Greenland is set to intensify this week as Denmark's prime minister visits the Arctic island days after U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

SpaceX to launch private astronauts on first crewed polar orbit

SpaceX is set to launch the first human spaceflight directly over Earth's polar regions on Monday—a days-long, privately funded orbital mission involving four astronauts.

ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite hailed as excellent

Launched just seven months ago, ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite has been proving how the New Space approach can accelerate the development of missions capable of delivering detailed temperature and humidity profiles for short-term weather forecasts.

Moreover, the impact of this tiny prototype satellite goes even further – its measuring instrument has been recognised as able to provide data that’s on a par with traditional large missions.

Taking in the first signs of spring on a picnic in New York's Adirondack Mountains

NPR's Brian Mann and North Country Public Radio's David Sommerstein head into the high country for a spring picnic surrounded by sun — and snow.

First orbital rocket launched from Europe crashes after launch

Failure of Spectrum rocket seconds after blast-off deals blow to continent’s effort to build new space economy

The first orbital rocket launched from continental Europe crashed seconds after blast-off on Sunday, dealing a blow to the continent’s effort to build a new space economy.

The Spectrum rocket, developed by the German startup Isar Aerospace, tilted over and crashed back to Earth with a powerful boom just after launching from Norway’s Andøya spaceport in the Arctic, in live video broadcast on YouTube.

JD Vance's ominous pitch to Greenland

Many in the Danish territory feel bullied by the US, Andrew Harding finds on a trip to Nuuk.

When glaciers roamed Mars

The surface of Mars is known for being an extremely cold, desiccated, and irradiated place. But as its many surface features attest, the red planet was once a warmer, wetter place with flowing water and glaciers. Today, most of the remaining water on the surface is largely confined to its polar regions in the form of ice caps, permafrost, and subsurface glaciers. Nevertheless, the seasonal melting and freezing of this ice still impacts the Martian environment and offers clues about glacial activity in the past.

Nature’s secret soundscape: listen with me to the world’s quietest creatures

While humans are more boisterous than ever, other species are talking too – this is what you will hear if you really listen

It’s a spring day in northern Sweden, just 100km (62 miles) below the Arctic Circle. I tuck my sound gear into my backpack, clip into my cross-country skis and glide out on to a frozen lake, looking for a small ice-fishing hole.

It’s a quiet day, with no snowmobiles or other skiers about. Conditions are perfect for the fishing I hope to do: not for dinner, but for sounds.

From Greenland to Europe and Senegal: the partial solar eclipse – in pictures

The moon partly obscured the sun during an phenomenon that could be seen across the northern hemisphere

JD Vance accuses Denmark of failing to keep Greenland secure as he slams European allies

Vance's visit comes as President Donald Trump hardens his rhetoric about taking control of Greenland.

Vance scolds Denmark during Greenland trip

Denmark's prime minister said the visit by the US VP and other top officials  showed a "lack of respect".

Drone experiment reveals how Greenland ice sheet is changing

A new study measured water vapor in Greenland's air, collecting data crucial for improving climate models and forecasting Arctic changes.

Russia's Putin says it would be a 'profound mistake' to dismiss Trump's push for Greenland

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned it would be foolish to dismiss U.S. President Donald Trump's push for control over Greenland.

Spring 2021 sea ice transport in the southern Beaufort Sea occurred during coastal-lead opening events

Spring 2021 sea ice transport in the southern Beaufort Sea occurred during coastal-lead opening events MacKenzie E. Jewell, Jennifer K. Hutchings, and Angela C. Bliss The Cryosphere, 19, 1413–1430, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1413-2025, 2025 We quantify the contribution of sea ice drift during coastal-lead events to seasonal ice transport in the Beaufort Sea. Data from GPS tracker buoys deployed as part of the Sea Ice Dynamic Experiment (SIDEx) in spring 2021 show that sea ice in the southern Beaufort Sea became more responsive to wind forcing during fracturing events detected from satellite observations. Nearly all the spring 2021 sea ice transport occurred during these events, highlighting their importance at seasonal timescales.

National Weather Service Alaska Sea Ice Program: gridded ice concentration maps for the Alaskan Arctic

National Weather Service Alaska Sea Ice Program: gridded ice concentration maps for the Alaskan Arctic Astrid Pacini, Michael Steele, and Mary-Beth Schreck The Cryosphere, 19, 1391–1411, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1391-2025, 2025 While sea ice concentration data are critically important for climate research, obtaining high-resolution data remains a challenge. Here we present and validate the US National Weather Service Alaska Sea Ice Program (ASIP) ice maps. These maps are shown to be highly accurate when compared to in situ observations and to outperform a passive-microwave-based product, especially at low concentrations. Therefore, ASIP data provide an exciting new tool to study ice conditions in the Pacific Arctic.

Narwhal sightings are rare. Scientists just saw them use their tusks in new ways

What are the narwhals up to? Generally, we don't really know! They are mysterious creatures. NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce talks about new, rare drone footage scientists captured of arctic narwhals. The video sparked new ideas for how they use their tusks.Read Nell's full piece.Love mysterious critters and want to hear more? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

Greenlanders prepare for uncomfortable visit from US vice-president

Greenland is giving the cold shoulder to JD Vance and his wife, amid Trump's pledge to take control of the island.

Putin says Greenland 'nothing to do with Russia' in nod to US

Speaking in the Arctic, Russia's president said Trump's plans were "serious" but nothing to do with Moscow.

Constrained Earth system models show a stronger reduction in future Northern Hemisphere snowmelt water

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 28 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02308-y

Ros Atkins on... Trump's plan for Greenland

US Vice-President JD Vance is visiting Greenland on Friday - but why is the US so interested in the territory?

Melting ice, more rain drive Southern Ocean cooling

Researchers found increased meltwater and rain explain 60% of a decades-long mismatch between predicted and observed temperatures in the ocean around Antarctica.

Damaging cluster of UK winter storms driven by swirling polar vortex miles above Earth

Powerful winter storms which led to deaths and power outages in the UK and Ireland were made more likely by an intense swirling vortex of winds miles above the Arctic, say scientists.

What does the impurity variability at the microscale represent in ice cores? Insights from a conceptual approach

What does the impurity variability at the microscale represent in ice cores? Insights from a conceptual approach Piers Larkman, Rachael H. Rhodes, Nicolas Stoll, Carlo Barbante, and Pascal Bohleber The Cryosphere, 19, 1373–1390, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1373-2025, 2025 Impurities in ice cores can be preferentially located at the boundaries between crystals of ice, impacting the interpretation of high-resolution data collected from ice core samples. Through use of a modelling framework, we demonstrate that one-dimensional signals can be significantly affected by this association, meaning high-resolution measurements must be carefully designed. Accounting for this effect is important for interpreting ice core data, especially for deep ice samples.

Trump’s bid for Greenland threatens to destabilize Arctic research

Nature, Published online: 27 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00983-7

Ice Quakes Cause Glacial Ice to Flow Toward the Ocean

What are ice quakes? Learn how the discovery of ice quakes deep within the Northeast Greenland Ice Sheet is helping scientists better understand the dynamics of glacial ice.

Blurring the line between rain and snow: Limits of meteorological classification

A new study uncovers a critical challenge in accurately classifying precipitation as rain or snow using surface weather data. Accurately identifying precipitation phase is critical for weather forecasting, hydrologic modeling, and climate research, with significant implications for transportation. At temperatures near freezing, however, all traditional methods struggle to accurately predict rain and snow due to the meteorological similarity of the two phases. Leveraging multi-source data integration rather than relying on surface weather data alone may offer improvements.

Inland migration of near-surface crevasses in the Amundsen Sea Sector, West Antarctica

Inland migration of near-surface crevasses in the Amundsen Sea Sector, West Antarctica Andrew O. Hoffman, Knut Christianson, Ching-Yao Lai, Ian Joughin, Nicholas Holschuh, Elizabeth Case, Jonathan Kingslake, and the GHOST science team The Cryosphere, 19, 1353–1372, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1353-2025, 2025 We use satellite and ice-penetrating radar technology to segment crevasses in the Amundsen Sea Embayment. Inspection of satellite time series reveals inland expansion of crevasses where surface stresses have increased. We develop a simple model for the strength of densifying snow and show that these crevasses are likely restricted to the near surface. This result bridges discrepancies between satellite and lab experiments and reveals the importance of porosity on surface crevasse formation.

In the Arctic, microalgae are doing the limbo

Microalgae are tiny organisms that convert energy from sunlight into fuel. The arctic ecosystem depends on them. In springtime, the algae bloom brilliant shades of green and draw tiny crustaceans, fish, birds and more to arctic waters. But what happens in wintertime, when the sun goes down and darkness reins for months? In the depths of the polar night, biogeochemist Clara Hoppe has found evidence that some microalgae are still ready to photosynthesize. Today on the show: how tiny microalgae limbo for their lives and come out more powerful than scientists ever imagined. Want to hear more stories of nature pushing the boundaries of what scientists previously thought possible? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org!Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

JD Vance will join wife on Greenland trip amid backlash

Greenland's leaders have criticised planned visits by US officials after Trump's threats to annex the island.

‘Perfect space crop’: Australian company to attempt to grow first mushrooms in orbit

Experiment onboard upcoming SpaceX mission will examine how nutrient-rich oyster mushrooms grow in microgravity

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An Australian company will attempt to be the first to grow a crop of mushrooms in space, aboard SpaceX’s Fram2 mission set to launch in early April.

In an experiment aboard Fram2, the first human spaceflight mission to orbit Earth’s polar regions, the Australian firm FOODiQ Global is aiming to grow oyster mushrooms in microgravity.

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Arctic sea ice sets a record low maximum in 2025

SpaceX targets end of month for private astronaut polar orbit mission Fram2

With the drama around the first human spaceflight of the year behind it, SpaceX is back to the business of sending private customers to space.

The big idea: should you dump your toxic friend?

Self-help pundits advise us to cut difficult people out of our lives, but it’s not the only option

It was snowing and the heating had broken the day I visited the Mass Observation Archive in Brighton. I sat in my coat, woolly hat and fingerless gloves, my breath clouding the air. Before me were nearly two hundred anonymous letters written in 2007, most by hand, reflecting on the “ups and downs” of friendship.

Mass Observation is a treasure trove for historians like me. Since 1939, it has sent out loose questionnaires called “directives” to its pool of volunteer writers across the UK, who respond by describing their daily lives, opinions and feelings. Most who replied to the directive on friendship were women over 60. As the hours passed, my fingers grew numb but I didn’t care. It was so absorbing to read their intimate accounts of the pleasures and the usually unspoken difficulties of friendship.

Greenland condemns planned visits by Usha Vance and Trump adviser

The pair will make separate trips this week, after threats from the US president to take over the island.

Solar eclipse to follow lunar display in March

In parts of North America and Greenland, up to 90% of the sun’s fiery surface may be obscured

Eclipses often come in pairs. A lunar eclipse is usually accompanied by a solar eclipse two weeks later, or vice versa, and this month is no exception. On 14 March, the moon was totally eclipsed by Earth; now it is the turn of the sun.

There will be no total solar eclipse visible from the surface of Earth, but in certain parts of North America and Greenland up to 90% of its fiery surface may be obscured. For example, in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut in Canada, the sun will have 92% of its surface covered.

The glaciers of the Dolomites: the last 40 years of melting

The glaciers of the Dolomites: the last 40 years of melting Andrea Securo, Costanza Del Gobbo, Giovanni Baccolo, Carlo Barbante, Michele Citterio, Fabrizio De Blasi, Marco Marcer, Mauro Valt, and Renato R. Colucci The Cryosphere, 19, 1335–1352, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1335-2025, 2025 We have reconstructed the multi-decadal (1980s–2023) ice mass changes for all the current mountain glaciers in the Dolomites. We used historical aerial photographs, drone surveys, and lidar to fill the glaciological data gap for the region. We observed an alarming decline in both glacier area and volume, with some of the glaciers showing smaller losses due to local topography and debris cover feedback. We strongly recommend more specific monitoring of these glaciers.

Glaciers are not just blocks of ice — plans to save them mustn’t overlook their hidden life

Nature, Published online: 24 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00897-4

NRL's narrow field imager launches on NASA's PUNCH mission

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Narrow Field Imager (NFI) was launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as a part of NASA's Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission on March 11 and deployed from Falcon 9 on March 12.

Crisis in Antarctica: can science teams ever prepare for isolated assignments?

Alleged assault at polar base shows the importance of research on cabin fever – including on future Mars missions

South Africa has a tight regime for scientists wanting to “overwinter” in Antarctica. The 13-month assignment to an isolated research base on the top of a cliff edge is, as the environment ministry drily puts it, “testing”. Average annual temperatures are -16C but drop much lower during the winter darkness.

All applicants are subjected to psychometric analysis “to ensure they are able to cope with the isolation, and can work and live with others in the confined space of the bases”, said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. “Only candidates who do not have any negative outcomes from all the background evaluations will be considered.”

Quantifying radiative effects of light-absorbing particle deposition on snow at the SnowMIP sites

Quantifying radiative effects of light-absorbing particle deposition on snow at the SnowMIP sites Enrico Zorzetto, Paul Ginoux, Sergey Malyshev, and Elena Shevliakova The Cryosphere, 19, 1313–1334, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1313-2025, 2025 Light-absorbing particle (LAP) deposition on snow leads to a darkening of the snow surface and can thus accelerate snow melt. Understanding the extent to which different types of LAPs contribute to snow melt is important to both predict changes in water availability and improve global climate model predictions. Here, we extend a recently developed snow model to account for the deposition of LAPs in the snowpack and evaluate the effect of snow darkening on accelerating snow melt.

Shrinking Andean glaciers threaten water supply of 90 million people, global policy makers warn

Scientists will warn policymakers that the shrinking glaciers of the Andes threaten the water supply of 90 million people on the South American continent at the first-ever World Day for Glaciers hosted by UNESCO in Paris.

New coasts emerging from the retreat of Northern Hemisphere marine-terminating glaciers in the twenty-first century

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 21 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02282-5

Glaciers give way to new coasts

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 21 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02275-4

Sea ice reduction in the Barents–Kara Sea enhances June precipitation in the Yangtze River basin

Sea ice reduction in the Barents–Kara Sea enhances June precipitation in the Yangtze River basin Tianli Xie, Zhen-Qiang Zhou, Renhe Zhang, Bingyi Wu, and Peng Zhang The Cryosphere, 19, 1303–1312, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1303-2025, 2025 As the Arctic warms, changes in sea ice and sea surface temperature are altering global climate patterns. Our study links Barents–Kara Sea (BKS) ice loss and rising sea surface temperatures to increased summer rainfall in the Yangtze River basin. The thermal forcing from the BKS triggers a Rossby wave train that enhances moisture transport and anomalous ascending motions, leading to increased rainfall. Understanding this connection is crucial for predicting summer rainfall in East Asia.

Psychologists in touch with Antarctic base after assault allegation, South Africa confirms

Ministers also investigating sexual harassment claim at country’s isolated Sanae IV research station

Psychologists are in “constant” contact with a South African science team isolated for months at a base in Antarctica after physical assault and sexual harassment allegations were made, a government minister has said.

The environment minister, Dion George, whose department manages the country’s Antarctic programme, confirmed to the Guardian that psychologists and other experts were in “direct and constant” communication with the nine-member research team.

Electroluminescence and energy transfer mediated by hyperbolic polaritons

Nature, Published online: 19 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08627-6

Hyperbolic phonon-polariton electroluminescence in 2D heterostructures

Nature, Published online: 19 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08686-9

Global sea-level rise in the early Holocene revealed from North Sea peats

Nature, Published online: 19 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08769-7

Author Correction: Endocytosis in the axon initial segment maintains neuronal polarity

Nature, Published online: 18 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08837-y

Nighthawk: A proposed Mars chopper mission over glaciers and canyons

Ingenuity proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that a helicopter can operate on another planet. Over 72 flights, the little quadcopter that could captivated the imagination of space exploration fans everywhere. But, several factors limited it, and researchers at NASA think they can do better.

Scientists at Antarctic base rocked by alleged assault

A spokesperson for the South African government told the BBC there had been an assault at the station.

Do we still need reflectance? From radiance to snow properties in mountainous terrain: a case study with the EMIT imaging spectrometer

Do we still need reflectance? From radiance to snow properties in mountainous terrain: a case study with the EMIT imaging spectrometer Niklas Bohn, Edward H. Bair, Philip G. Brodrick, Nimrod Carmon, Robert O. Green, Thomas H. Painter, and David R. Thompson The Cryosphere, 19, 1279–1302, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1279-2025, 2025 A new type of Earth-observing satellite is measuring reflected sunlight in all its colors. These measurements can be used to characterize snow properties, which give us important information about climate change. In our work, we emphasize the difficulties of obtaining these properties from rough mountainous regions and present a solution to the problem. Our research was inspired by the growing number of new satellite technologies and the increasing challenges associated with climate change.

Inferring the seasonality of sea ice floes in the Weddell Sea using ICESat-2

Inferring the seasonality of sea ice floes in the Weddell Sea using ICESat-2 Mukund Gupta, Heather Regan, Younghyun Koo, Sean Minhui Tashi Chua, Xueke Li, and Petra Heil The Cryosphere, 19, 1241–1257, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1241-2025, 2025 The sea ice cover is composed of floes, whose shapes set the material properties of the pack. Here, we use a satellite product (ICESat-2) to investigate these floe shapes within the Weddell Sea in Antarctica. We find that floes tend to become smaller during the melt season, while their thickness distribution exhibits different behavior between the western and southern regions of the pack. These metrics will help calibrate models and improve our understanding of sea ice physics across scales.

Impacts of air fraction increase on Arctic sea ice density, freeboard, and thickness estimation during the melt season

Impacts of air fraction increase on Arctic sea ice density, freeboard, and thickness estimation during the melt season Evgenii Salganik, Odile Crabeck, Niels Fuchs, Nils Hutter, Philipp Anhaus, and Jack Christopher Landy The Cryosphere, 19, 1259–1278, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1259-2025, 2025 To measure Arctic ice thickness, we often check how much ice sticks out of the water. This method depends on knowing the ice's density, which drops significantly in summer. Our study, validated with sonar and laser data, shows that these seasonal changes in density can complicate melt measurements. We stress the importance of considering these density changes for more accurate ice thickness readings.

Animal poo can be used to save endangered species from extinction, research finds

Some cells are still alive within the dung, and could be used to boost genetic diversity in certain species

Turning animal poo into offspring sounds like a zoo keeper’s conjuring trick, but it might become a reality if researchers succeed in a new project to help save endangered animals from extinction.

From snow leopards to sea turtles, animals the world over are under threat, with some scientists calling the massive loss of wildlife in recent decades a “biological annihilation”.

Creativity or cultural invasion? A fashion show sparks a row in Kashmir

A fashion show in a snowy town has sparked a controversy in Indian-administered Kashmir.

From Polaroid to vinyl, Gen Z is making retro tech one of 2025’s biggest trends: ‘These things just have more value’

Young people are looking to unplug now more than ever before.

'America is not Canada,' new Prime Minister Mark Carney says in rebuke to Trump

President Donald Trump since his second White House term began has said Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal should become U.S. property.

Greenland's politicians unite against Trump

In an unusual show of unity, party leaders say they "cannot accept the repeated statements about the annexation of Greenland."

Greenland Ice Sheet surface roughness from Ku- and Ka-band radar altimetry surface echo strengths

Greenland Ice Sheet surface roughness from Ku- and Ka-band radar altimetry surface echo strengths Kirk M. Scanlan, Anja Rutishauser, and Sebastian B. Simonsen The Cryosphere, 19, 1221–1239, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1221-2025, 2025 An ice sheet's surface modulates its response to climate change, and it is therefore critical to monitor how it evolves through time. Here, we investigate novel measurements of Greenland surface roughness based on the strength of reflected local airborne and pan-Greenland satellite radar signals. These measurements respond to roughness at scales typically larger than those considered in mass balance modelling while highlighting the scale dependency of surface roughness that is often overlooked.

Historically consistent mass loss projections of the Greenland ice sheet

Historically consistent mass loss projections of the Greenland ice sheet Charlotte Rahlves, Heiko Goelzer, Andreas Born, and Petra M. Langebroek The Cryosphere, 19, 1205–1220, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1205-2025, 2025 Mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet significantly contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities globally. To improve future sea-level projections, we simulated ice sheet behavior until 2100, initializing the model with observed geometry and using various climate models. Predictions indicate a sea-level rise of 32 to 228 mm by 2100, with climate model uncertainty being the main source of variability in projections.

Trump on U.S. annexation of Greenland: 'I think it'll happen'

"We don't want to be Americans. No, we don't want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders," said Jens-Frederik Nielsen of the island's Demokraatit party.

Bathymetry-constrained impact of relative sea-level change on basal melting in Antarctica

Bathymetry-constrained impact of relative sea-level change on basal melting in Antarctica Moritz Kreuzer, Torsten Albrecht, Lena Nicola, Ronja Reese, and Ricarda Winkelmann The Cryosphere, 19, 1181–1203, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1181-2025, 2025 The study investigates how changing sea levels around Antarctica can potentially affect the melting of floating ice shelves. It utilizes numerical models for both the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the solid Earth, investigating features like troughs and sills that control the flow of ocean water onto the continental shelf. The research finds that compared to climatic changes, the effect of relative sea level on ice-shelf melting is small.

Deadly avian flu strain is spreading rapidly in Antarctica

Expedition finds H5N1 in 13 bird and seal species on the Antarctic Peninsula

Age–depth distribution in western Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, and Antarctic-wide comparisons of internal reflection horizons

Age–depth distribution in western Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, and Antarctic-wide comparisons of internal reflection horizons Steven Franke, Daniel Steinhage, Veit Helm, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Julien A. Bodart, Olaf Eisen, and Paul Bons The Cryosphere, 19, 1153–1180, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1153-2025, 2025 The study presents internal reflection horizons (IRHs) over an area of 450 000 km² from western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, spanning 4.8–91 ka. Using radar and ice core data, nine IRHs were dated and correlated with volcanic events. The data enhance our understanding of the ice sheet's age–depth architecture, accumulation, and dynamics. The findings inform ice flow models and contribute to Antarctic-wide comparisons of IRHs, supporting efforts toward a 3D age–depth ice sheet model.

Mega-storm dumps 11 billion tonnes of snow ― and builds up a melting ice sheet

Nature, Published online: 13 March 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00705-z

Videos Show Narwhals Using Their Tusks to Play With Their Food

Researchers observed a number of surprising behaviors by the ivory-sporting whales during an expedition with drones in the Canadian High Arctic.

Greenland's centre-right opposition wins election

The voting was dominated by US President Donald Trump's pledge to take over Denmark's autonomous territory.

Author Correction: Observation of Nagaoka polarons in a Fermi–Hubbard quantum simulator

Nature, Published online: 12 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08819-0

Arctic sea ice loss drives drier weather over California and wetter over Spain and Portugal

On decadal timescales, the loss of Arctic ice favors the climate of the south-west of the United States -- and California in particular -- becoming drier on average, especially in winter. This phenomenon would also affect the climate of Spain and Portugal, favoring conditions of higher humidity in winter, although in this case the observed effect is weaker.

Greenland's election: Why does it matter and how does it work?

Five of the six parties favour Greenland's independence from Denmark, differing only on how quickly that should come about.

Orange Alert: What Caused the Colors on This Snowy Owl?

Bird watchers along Lake Huron photographed the bird, which has been nicknamed Rusty and Creamsicle. But there is no consensus about what caused its unusual tint.

InSAR-derived seasonal subsidence reflects spatial soil moisture patterns in Arctic lowland permafrost regions

InSAR-derived seasonal subsidence reflects spatial soil moisture patterns in Arctic lowland permafrost regions Barbara Widhalm, Annett Bartsch, Tazio Strozzi, Nina Jones, Artem Khomutov, Elena Babkina, Marina Leibman, Rustam Khairullin, Mathias Göckede, Helena Bergstedt, Clemens von Baeckmann, and Xaver Muri The Cryosphere, 19, 1103–1133, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1103-2025, 2025 Mapping soil moisture in Arctic permafrost regions is crucial for various activities, but it is challenging with typical satellite methods due to the landscape's diversity. Seasonal freezing and thawing cause the ground to periodically rise and subside. Our research demonstrates that this seasonal ground settlement, measured with Sentinel-1 satellite data, is larger in areas with wetter soils. This method helps to monitor permafrost degradation.

Novel methods to study sea ice deformation, linear kinematic features and coherent dynamic clusters from imaging remote sensing data

Novel methods to study sea ice deformation, linear kinematic features and coherent dynamic clusters from imaging remote sensing data Polona Itkin The Cryosphere, 19, 1135–1151, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1135-2025, 2025 Radar satellite images of sea ice were analyzed to understand how sea ice moves and deforms. These data are noisy, especially when looking at small details. A method was developed to filter out the noise. The filtered data were used to monitor how ice plates stretch and compress over time, revealing slow healing of ice fractures. Cohesive clusters of ice plates that move together were studied too. These methods provide climate-relevant insights into the dynamic nature of winter sea ice cover.

Larger lake outbursts despite glacier thinning at ice-dammed Desolation Lake, Alaska

Larger lake outbursts despite glacier thinning at ice-dammed Desolation Lake, Alaska Natalie Lützow, Bretwood Higman, Martin Truffer, Bodo Bookhagen, Friedrich Knuth, Oliver Korup, Katie E. Hughes, Marten Geertsema, John J. Clague, and Georg Veh The Cryosphere, 19, 1085–1102, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1085-2025, 2025 As the atmosphere warms, thinning glacier dams impound smaller lakes at their margins. Yet, some lakes deviate from this trend and have instead grown over time, increasing the risk of glacier floods to downstream populations and infrastructure. In this article, we examine the mechanisms behind the growth of an ice-dammed lake in Alaska. We find that the growth in size and outburst volumes is more controlled by glacier front downwaste than by overall mass loss over the entire glacier surface.

Greenland is caught in a love triangle between the U.S., Denmark and independence as election takes place

Greenlanders go the polls Tuesday in a pivotal election in which independence from Denmark is a key theme — as well as Trump's ambitions to 'own' the island.

Winter subglacial meltwater detected in a Greenland fjord

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 11 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41561-025-01652-0

'There's never been a spotlight like this': Greenland heads to the polls as Trump eyes territory

Donald Trump's vow to take over Greenland has shone a global spotlight on the island's elections.

Here's how tourists are solving a plankton puzzle in Antarctica

Tourists to Antarctica are fueling research on some of the tiniest, most influential organisms on Earth: phytoplankton. These itty bitty critters make their own food and are the base of the food web in most of the ocean, but tracking how well they're doing is historically tricky. So, researchers with the program FjordPhyto are using samples collected by these tourists to understand how the balance of power in the Antarctic food web could be shifting — could ripple across the food web of the entire ocean. Want to hear more community science at work or about polar ecosystems? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org! We're also always open to other story ideas you have. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

How Antarctica’s Only Native Insect Survives the Extreme Cold

Learn how this midge has a unique strategy for surviving what most organisms couldn’t.

They lost 52 soldiers fighting alongside the US. Now they feel threatened by Trump

Danes, who have been loyal allies of Washington, are blindsided by Trump's insistence on taking over Greenland.

The unforseen effects of melting glaciers on Arctic coastal ecosystems

Researchers found that climate change induced glacial melt increases the heavy metal content and changes the microbiome of habitat-forming brown algae in Arctic fjords. As algae are at the basis of the food web, this will likely have cascading ecological and economic consequences.

Olympian wanted by FBI on drug ring charges

Former Canadian snowboarder Ryan Wedding has been placed on the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives list.

Assessment of continuous flow analysis (CFA) for high-precision profiles of water isotopes in snow cores

Assessment of continuous flow analysis (CFA) for high-precision profiles of water isotopes in snow cores Rémi Dallmayr, Hannah Meyer, Vasileios Gkinis, Thomas Laepple, Melanie Behrens, Frank Wilhelms, and Maria Hörhold The Cryosphere, 19, 1067–1083, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1067-2025, 2025 Recent studies showed that a large number of independent vertical profiles allow for inferring a common local climate signal from the stacked stable water isotope record. Through investigating instrumental limitation and the effect of percolation of such porous samples, this study assesses the continuous flow analysis (CFA) technique in order to analyze the significant number of snow surface profiles within a reasonable time and with high quality.

'You literally cannot see' - blizzard causes chaos in Iowa

A powerful winter storm has hit parts of the US midwest with strong winds and heavy snow.

The Antarctic Ozone Hole Is Under Repair Thanks to Reduced CFCs

Learn about the ozone hole above Antarctica that is now confirmed to be shrinking due to reductions of harmful chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere.

Tracking polar bears during their most secretive stage of life

Researchers have combined satellite collar data with specialized cameras to shed light on one of the most mysterious and important stages in polar bears' lives -- maternal denning, when bears give birth then emerge with their cubs.

More potential locations for ice on the Moon discovered

Ice may be present a few centimeters below the moon's surface in more areas of the lunar polar regions than was previously thought due to large, yet highly localized, variations in surface temperatures. The results, published in Communications Earth & Environment, are derived from direct measurements taken at the lunar surface in 2023 by the Indian Chandrayaan-3 mission.

A comparison of supraglacial meltwater features throughout contrasting melt seasons: southwest Greenland

A comparison of supraglacial meltwater features throughout contrasting melt seasons: southwest Greenland Emily Glen, Amber Leeson, Alison F. Banwell, Jennifer Maddalena, Diarmuid Corr, Olivia Atkins, Brice Noël, and Malcolm McMillan The Cryosphere, 19, 1047–1066, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1047-2025, 2025 We compare surface meltwater features from optical satellite imagery in the Russell–Leverett glacier catchment during high (2019) and low (2018) melt years. In the high melt year, features appear at higher elevations, meltwater systems are more connected, small lakes are more frequent, and slush is more widespread. These findings provide insights into how a warming climate, where high melt years become common, could alter meltwater distribution and dynamics on the Greenland Ice Sheet.

Antarctic sea ice minimum hits a near-record low, again

Effects of Arctic sea-ice concentration on surface radiative fluxes in four atmospheric reanalyses

Effects of Arctic sea-ice concentration on surface radiative fluxes in four atmospheric reanalyses Tereza Uhlíková, Timo Vihma, Alexey Yu Karpechko, and Petteri Uotila The Cryosphere, 19, 1031–1046, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1031-2025, 2025 To better understand the local, regional, and global impacts of the recent rapid sea-ice decline in the Arctic, one of the key issues is to quantify the effects of sea-ice concentration on the surface radiative fluxes. We analyse these effects utilising four data sets called atmospheric reanalyses, and we evaluate uncertainties in these effects arising from inter-reanalysis differences in the sensitivity of the surface radiative fluxes to sea-ice concentration.

Spatiotemporal patterns of accumulation and surface roughness in interior Greenland with a GNSS-IR network

Spatiotemporal patterns of accumulation and surface roughness in interior Greenland with a GNSS-IR network Derek J. Pickell, Robert L. Hawley, and Adam LeWinter The Cryosphere, 19, 1013–1029, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1013-2025, 2025 We use a low-cost, low-power GNSS network to measure surface accumulation in Greenland's interior using the interferometric reflectometry technique. Additionally, we extend this method to also estimate centimeter- to meter-scale surface roughness. Our results closely align with a validation record and highlight a period of unusually high accumulation from late 2022 to 2023, along with seasonal variations in surface roughness.

Mapping subsea permafrost around Tuktoyaktuk Island (Northwest Territories, Canada) using electrical resistivity tomography

Mapping subsea permafrost around Tuktoyaktuk Island (Northwest Territories, Canada) using electrical resistivity tomography Ephraim Erkens, Michael Angelopoulos, Jens Tronicke, Scott R. Dallimore, Dustin Whalen, Julia Boike, and Pier Paul Overduin The Cryosphere, 19, 997–1012, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-997-2025, 2025 We investigate the depth of subsea permafrost formed by inundation of terrestrial permafrost due to marine transgression around the rapidly disappearing, permafrost-cored Tuktoyaktuk Island (Beaufort Sea, NWT, Canada). We use geoelectrical surveys with floating electrodes to identify the boundary between unfrozen and frozen sediment. Our findings indicate that permafrost thaw depths beneath the seabed can be explained by coastal erosion rates and landscape features before inundation.

The ozone hole is healing, thanks to global reduction of CFCs

A new study confirms the Antarctic ozone layer is healing as a direct result of global efforts to reduce ozone-depleting substances.

Can surface fractures on Earth, Mars, and Europa predict habitability on other planets?

When a mudflat crumbles on Earth, or an ice sheet splinters on one of Jupiter's moons (Europa), or an ancient lakebed breaks on Mars, do these fractures follow a hidden geometric script? Could similar patterns on another planet hint that water once existed there—and possibly sustained life?

Astronomers detect new polar cataclysmic variable

Using the ROentgen SATellite (ROSAT), astronomers have discovered a new cataclysmic variable system of the polar subtype. The new polar, which received the designation ZTF J0112+5827, has an orbital period of approximately 81 minutes. The finding is detailed in a research paper published on the arXiv preprint server.

Understanding biases in ICESat-2 data due to subsurface scattering using Airborne Topographic Mapper waveform data

Understanding biases in ICESat-2 data due to subsurface scattering using Airborne Topographic Mapper waveform data Benjamin E. Smith, Michael Studinger, Tyler Sutterley, Zachary Fair, and Thomas Neumann The Cryosphere, 19, 975–995, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-975-2025, 2025 This study investigates errors (biases) that may result when green lasers are used to measure the elevation of glaciers and ice sheets. These biases are important because if the snow or ice on top of the ice sheet changes, it can make the elevation of the ice appear to change by the wrong amount. We measure these biases over the Greenland Ice Sheet with a laser system on an airplane and explore how the use of satellite data can let us correct for the biases.

Trump says the U.S. will take control of Greenland 'one way or the other'

Trump argued in a joint address to Congress that control of Greenland was crucial to U.S. national security.

World’s biggest iceberg runs aground after a near-40-year journey from Antarctica

Scientists are studying whether the grounded A23a iceberg might help stir nutrients and make food more available for penguins and seals

The world’s biggest iceberg appears to have run aground roughly 70km (43 miles) from a remote Antarctic island, potentially sparing the crucial wildlife haven from being hit, a research organisation said Tuesday.

The colossal iceberg A23a – which measures roughly 3,300 sq km and weighs nearly 1tn tonnes – has been drifting north from Antarctica towards South Georgia island since 2020.

Fingerprinting the recovery of Antarctic ozone

Nature, Published online: 05 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08640-9

Emerging supersolidity in photonic-crystal polariton condensates

Nature, Published online: 05 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08616-9

Intense Storms Bring 16 Billion Tons of Snow to Greenland, Restoring Ice Sheet

Learn about the storm that brought 16 billion tons of snow to Greenland in March 2022, inspiring scientists to study the impact of atmospheric rivers on the Arctic.

Wooly mice designed to engineer mammoth-like elephants

Experiments on mice could see hairy, genetically modified elephants living in the Arctic, a US company claims.

Chile’s perfect skies for stargazing under threat from giant chemical plant

Astronomers deeply concerned that darkest, clearest skies in world will be compromised by proposed facility nearby

In the Atacama desert, the driest non-polar region on Earth, the sky shines when the sun sets.

Up in the arid hills 130km south of the Chilean city of Antofagasta, comets burn brightly and flawless trails of stars and nebula streak the night sky.

February made me shiver (but not the Arctic)

Melting Antarctic ice sheets will slow Earth's strongest ocean current

Melting ice sheets are slowing the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), the world's strongest ocean current, researchers have found. This melting has implications for global climate indicators, including sea level rise, ocean warming and viability of marine ecosystems. The researchers have shown the current slowing by around 20 per cent by 2050 in a high carbon emissions scenario.

Assessing the sensitivity of the Vanderford Glacier, East Antarctica, to basal melt and calving

Assessing the sensitivity of the Vanderford Glacier, East Antarctica, to basal melt and calving Lawrence A. Bird, Felicity S. McCormack, Johanna Beckmann, Richard S. Jones, and Andrew N. Mackintosh The Cryosphere, 19, 955–973, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-955-2025, 2025 Vanderford Glacier is the fastest-retreating glacier in East Antarctica and may have important implications for future ice loss from the Aurora Subglacial Basin. Our ice sheet model simulations suggest that grounding line retreat is driven by sub-ice-shelf basal melting, in which warm ocean waters melt ice close to the grounding line. We show that current estimates of basal melt are likely too low, highlighting the need for improved estimates and direct measurements of basal melt in the region.

Watch This Rare Footage of Polar Bear Cubs Rolling Out of Their Den

Understanding cubs’ activity when leaving their lairs could aid in supporting the polar bear’s survival.

Mars's northern ice cap is surprisingly young, planetary scientists find

If you've ever looked at Mars through a telescope, you probably noticed its two polar ice caps. The northern one is made largely of water ice—the most obvious sign that Mars was once a wetter, warmer world. A team of researchers from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) used that ice cap to make surprising discoveries about it and what it tells us about Mars's interior. The research is published in the journal Nature.

The memories lost when a sibling dies | Letters

Dr Wendy Tagg has missing photos in her album of memories, while Judith Abbs says there isn’t a word for a sibling who is now alone

Jason Hazeley’s piece on the death of his sister (When my sister died, it wasn’t just her own childhood memories that disappeared. Mine did too, 24 February) took me right back to a vague memory of hurtling down a snowy hill on the big wooden sleigh that my father had made.

The real loss is that I can’t ask my big brother. He would have known which hill it was, the route we took, whether we drove there in the blue Reliant or the beige Morris, whether I was wearing the red woolly coat that was once his. I, too, have missing photos in my album of memories.Dr Wendy TaggUckfield, East Sussex

Snowflake surges 13% on earnings beat as company expands AI push

Snowflake announced an expanded partnership with Microsoft Azure to offer access to OpenAI models on Wednesday.

Scientists capture rare footage of baby polar bears emerging from dens

Combining remote cameras with GPS tracking gives scientists powerful tool to look at early lives of these elusive animals

A history-matching analysis of the Antarctic Ice Sheet since the Last Interglacial – Part 1: Ice sheet evolution

A history-matching analysis of the Antarctic Ice Sheet since the Last Interglacial – Part 1: Ice sheet evolution Benoit S. Lecavalier and Lev Tarasov The Cryosphere, 19, 919–953, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-919-2025, 2025 We present the evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) over the last 200 kyr by means of a history-matching analysis where an updated observational database constrained ~ 10 000 model simulations. During peak glaciation at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the best-fitting sub-ensemble of AIS simulations reached an excess grounded ice volume relative to the present of 9.2 to 26.5 m equivalent sea level relative to the present. The LGM AIS volume can help resolve the LGM missing-ice problem.

Brief communication: Potential of satellite optical imagery to monitor glacier surface flow velocity variability in the tropical Andes

Brief communication: Potential of satellite optical imagery to monitor glacier surface flow velocity variability in the tropical Andes Etienne Ducasse, Romain Millan, Jonas Kvist Andersen, and Antoine Rabatel The Cryosphere, 19, 911–917, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-911-2025, 2025 Our study examines glacier movement in the tropical Andes from 2013 to 2022 using satellite data. Despite challenges like small glacier size and frequent cloud cover, we tracked annual speeds and seasonal changes. We found stable annual speeds but significant shifts between wet and dry seasons, likely due to changes in meltwater production and glacier–bedrock conditions. This research enhances understanding of how tropical glaciers react to climate change.

Ice flow dynamics of the northwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet during the last deglaciation

Ice flow dynamics of the northwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet during the last deglaciation Benjamin J. Stoker, Helen E. Dulfer, Chris R. Stokes, Victoria H. Brown, Christopher D. Clark, Colm Ó Cofaigh, David J. A. Evans, Duane Froese, Sophie L. Norris, and Martin Margold The Cryosphere, 19, 869–910, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-869-2025, 2025 The retreat of the northwestern Laurentide Ice Sheet allows us to investigate how the ice drainage network evolves over millennial timescales and understand the influence of climate forcing, glacial lakes and the underlying geology on the rate of deglaciation. We reconstruct the changes in ice flow at 500-year intervals and identify rapid reorganisations of the drainage network, including variations in ice streaming that we link to climatically driven changes in the ice sheet surface slope.

Giant ice bulldozers: How ancient glaciers helped life evolve

New research has revealed how massive ancient glaciers acted like giant bulldozers, reshaping Earth's surface and paving the way for complex life to flourish. By chemically analyzing crystals in ancient rocks, the researchers discovered that as glaciers carved through the landscape, they scraped deep into the Earth's crust, releasing key minerals that altered ocean chemistry. This process had a profound impact on our planet's composition, creating conditions that allowed complex life to evolve.

Reply to: Streamflow shifts with declining snowfall

Nature, Published online: 26 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08524-4

Streamflow shifts with declining snowfall

Nature, Published online: 26 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08523-5

Glacial isostatic adjustment reveals Mars’s interior viscosity structure

Nature, Published online: 26 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08565-9

N.S.F. Cuts Raise Fears of a Reduced U.S. Presence in Polar Regions

The National Science Foundation has fired workers at the office that manages polar research, raising fears about a reduced U.S. presence in two strategic regions.

‘I know their names, what they eat’: tracking polar bears on Svalbard’s shifting icescapes

For more than 20 years, scientists have followed the animals in Norway’s Arctic archipelago to understand how they may adapt to changing threats as the ice they depend on melts

When Rolf-Arne Ølberg is hanging out of a helicopter with a gun, he needs to be able to assess from a distance of about 10 metres the sex and approximate weight of the moving animal he is aiming at, as well as how fat or muscular it is and whether it is in any distress. Only then can he dart it with the correct amount of sedative. Luckily, he says, polar bears are “quite good anaesthetic patients”.

Ølberg is a vet working with the Norwegian Polar Institute, the body responsible for the monitoring of polar bears in Svalbard, an archipelago that lies between mainland Norway and the north pole. Every year he and his colleagues track the bears by helicopter, collect blood, fat and hair samples from them and fit electronic tracking collars.

Reconstructing ice phenology of a lake with complex surface cover: a case study of Lake Ulansu during 1941–2023

Reconstructing ice phenology of a lake with complex surface cover: a case study of Lake Ulansu during 1941–2023 Puzhen Huo, Peng Lu, Bin Cheng, Miao Yu, Qingkai Wang, Xuewei Li, and Zhijun Li The Cryosphere, 19, 849–868, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-849-2025, 2025 We developed a new method for retrieving lake ice phenology for a lake with complex surface cover. The method is particularly useful for mixed-pixel satellite data. We implement this method on Lake Ulansu, a lake characterized by complex shorelines and aquatic plants in northwestern China. In connection with a random forest model, we reconstructed the longest lake ice phenology in China.

Evolution of crystallographic preferred orientations of ice sheared to high strains by equal-channel angular pressing

Evolution of crystallographic preferred orientations of ice sheared to high strains by equal-channel angular pressing Qinyu Wang, Sheng Fan, Daniel H. Richards, Rachel Worthington, David J. Prior, and Chao Qi The Cryosphere, 19, 827–848, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-827-2025, 2025 Ice often exhibits a single-cluster fabric when deformed to high strains in glaciers and ice sheets. Using the equal-channel angular pressing technique, we achieved high shear strains in laboratory experiments and examined the fabrics. We investigated the evolutions of fabric and recrystallization mechanisms with strain. The results suggest that rotation recrystallization dominates fabric development when ice is deformed to high strains, explaining the fabrics found in natural ice.

Arctic study urges stronger climate action to prevent catastrophic warming

Remember when 2 degrees Celsius of global warming was the doomsday scenario? Well, we're now staring down the barrel of something much worse. From the fish on your plate to the weather outside your window, everything's about to change. A new study underscores the grave risks posed by insufficient national commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Mega-iceberg from Antarctica on collision course with South Georgia: Harbinger of things to come?

It is no strange sight to see icebergs break off of the Antarctic ice cap and drift away, like the gigantic sheet of ice that is currently heading for the island of South Georgia. But climate change is making it happen more frequently, with ever-larger icebergs in the waters around Antarctica. Researchers are studying the routes that icebergs followed during geological periods of rapid ice cap deterioration, such as the ends of ice ages. That provides crucial information about the effect of melting icebergs on the oceans, and its consequences for the future. In the process, they also found an explanation for the mysterious discovery of ancient material from Antarctica near South Orkney, an island to the southwest of South Georgia.

A minimal machine-learning glacier mass balance model

A minimal machine-learning glacier mass balance model Marijn van der Meer, Harry Zekollari, Matthias Huss, Jordi Bolibar, Kamilla Hauknes Sjursen, and Daniel Farinotti The Cryosphere, 19, 805–826, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-805-2025, 2025 Glacier retreat poses big challenges, making understanding how climate affects glaciers vital. But glacier measurements worldwide are limited. We created a simple machine-learning model called miniML-MB, which estimates annual changes in glacier mass in the Swiss Alps. As input, miniML-MB uses two climate variables: average temperature (May–Aug) and total precipitation (Oct–Feb). Our model can accurately predict glacier mass from 1961 to 2021 but struggles for extreme years (2022 and 2023).

Brief communication: Sea-level projections, adaptation planning, and actionable science

Brief communication: Sea-level projections, adaptation planning, and actionable science William H. Lipscomb, David Behar, and Monica Ainhorn Morrison The Cryosphere, 19, 793–803, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-793-2025, 2025 As communities try to adapt to climate change, they look for "actionable science" that can inform decision-making. There are risks in relying on novel results that are not yet accepted by the science community. We propose a practical criterion for determining which scientific claims are actionable. We show how premature acceptance of sea-level-rise predictions can lead to confusion and backtracking, and we suggest best practices for communication between scientists and adaptation planners.

Improving large-scale snow albedo modeling using a climatology of light-absorbing particle deposition

Improving large-scale snow albedo modeling using a climatology of light-absorbing particle deposition Manon Gaillard, Vincent Vionnet, Matthieu Lafaysse, Marie Dumont, and Paul Ginoux The Cryosphere, 19, 769–792, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-769-2025, 2025 This study presents an efficient method to improve large-scale snow albedo simulations by considering the spatial variability in light-absorbing particles (LAPs) like black carbon and dust. A global climatology of LAP deposition was created and used to optimize a parameter in the Crocus snow model. Testing at 10 global sites improved albedo predictions by 10 % on average and over 25 % in the Arctic. This method can enhance other snow models' predictions without complex simulations.

World's glaciers melting faster than ever recorded

The planet's glaciers have lost 5% of their ice in little over 20 years, according to a major study.

Global retreat of glaciers has strongly accelerated

Researchers present a global assessment of ice loss since the beginning of the millennium. In a global comparison, the glaciers in the Alps and Pyrenees are melting the fastest.

'Glacial fracking': A hidden source of Arctic greenhouse gas emissions

Arctic glaciers are leaking significant amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Glacial melt rivers and groundwater springs are transporting large volumes of methane from beneath the ice to the atmosphere. This previously unrecognized process could contribute to Arctic climate feedbacks, accelerating global warming.

Glacier melt intensifying freshwater loss and accelerating sea-level rise

Ice melting from glaciers around the world is depleting regional freshwater resources and driving global sea levels to rise at ever-faster rates.

According to new findings, through an international effort involving 35 research teams, glaciers have been losing an average of 273 billion tonnes of ice per year since the year 2000 – but hidden within this average there has been an alarming increase over the last 10 years.

Resilient algae may speed up Greenland ice melt

New research reveals that ice algae can store nutrients which may enable them to colonize more of the ice sheet, darkening and melting it.

Reconstructed glacier area and volume changes in the European Alps since the Little Ice Age

Reconstructed glacier area and volume changes in the European Alps since the Little Ice Age Johannes Reinthaler and Frank Paul The Cryosphere, 19, 753–767, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-753-2025, 2025 Since the end of the Little Ice Age (LIA) around 1850, glaciers in the European Alps have melted considerably. We collected LIA glacier extents, calculated changes using geoinformatics, and found a 57 % decrease in area (4244 km² to 1806 km²) and a 64 % decrease in volume (280 km³ to 100 km³) by 2015. The average glacier surface lowering was 44 m. After 2000, elevation change rates tripled. Over 1938 glaciers melted away completely, impacting entire regions.

Community estimate of global glacier mass changes from 2000 to 2023

Nature, Published online: 19 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08545-z

Reconstruction of Arctic sea ice thickness (1992–2010) based on a hybrid machine learning and data assimilation approach

Reconstruction of Arctic sea ice thickness (1992–2010) based on a hybrid machine learning and data assimilation approach Léo Edel, Jiping Xie, Anton Korosov, Julien Brajard, and Laurent Bertino The Cryosphere, 19, 731–752, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-731-2025, 2025 This study developed a new method to estimate Arctic sea ice thickness from 1992 to 2010 using a combination of machine learning and data assimilation. By training a machine learning model on data from 2011 to 2022, past errors in sea ice thickness can be corrected, leading to improved estimations. This approach provides insights into historical changes in sea ice thickness, showing a notable decline from 1992 to 2022, and offers a valuable resource for future studies.

Meltwater Pulse 1A sea-level-rise patterns explained by global cascade of ice loss

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 18 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41561-025-01648-w

Upturned plane lies on Toronto runway after crash

The flipped over plane lies on the snow-covered tarmac and appears to be missing at least one of its wings.

Author Correction: Wildfires offset the increasing but spatially heterogeneous Arctic–boreal CO₂ uptake

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 17 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-025-02279-0

Research reveals how Earth got its ice caps

The cool conditions which have allowed ice caps to form on Earth are rare events in the planet's history and require many complex processes working at once, according to new research.

World's sea-ice falls to record low

The world's frozen oceans keep the planet cool, but they currently have less ice than ever recorded before.

Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze

A study in the journal Science Advances reveals how polar bears manage to get wet in the cold without their fur freezing.

Lake Mead Water Levels Drop Again as Snow Drought Takes Over Western U.S.

Learn more about the snow drought impacting the western U.S. and what that means for vital water sources.

Nanoplastics at lofty heights

Nanoplastics -- plastic particles smaller than 1 m -- are widely dispersed because of their low weight. A research team now shows the extent to which glaciers at an altitude of more than 3,000 m in the Alps are polluted by nanoplastics. The researchers relied on citizen science to collect the data. Mountaineers collected the samples on the glaciers.

Solar-powered device captures carbon dioxide from air to make sustainable fuel

Researchers have developed a reactor that pulls carbon dioxide directly from the air and converts it into sustainable fuel, using sunlight as the power source.

Research team identifies carbonate-dissolving microorganisms

A research team has shown that methanogens, micro-organisms ubiquitous in low-oxygen environments like aquifers, soil and even permafrost, can propel their growth by dissolving calcium carbonate, one of the Earth's most abundant minerals. The discovery paints a clearer picture of carbon flow through the environment and offers new information to guide bioenergy development.

Lava and smoke emerge from a snowy Mount Etna

Drone footage shows plumes of smoke and molten lava spewing from Europe's most active volcano.

NASA's polar ice experiment paves way for future moon missions

NASA's Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) is preparing to explore the moon's subsurface and analyze where lunar resources may reside.

Sentinel-1C demonstrates power to map land deformation

Launched just two months ago and still in the process of being commissioned for service, the Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite is, remarkably, already showing how its radar data can be used to map the shape of Earth’s land surface with extreme precision.

These first cross-satellite ‘interferometry’ results assure its ability to monitor subsidence, uplift, glacier flow, and disasters such as landslides and earthquakes.

Amundsen Sea Embayment accumulation variability measured with global navigation satellite system interferometric reflectometry

Amundsen Sea Embayment accumulation variability measured with global navigation satellite system interferometric reflectometry Andrew O. Hoffman, Michelle L. Maclennan, Jan Lenaerts, Kristine M. Larson, and Knut Christianson The Cryosphere, 19, 713–730, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-713-2025, 2025 Traditionally, glaciologists use global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) to measure the surface elevation and velocity of glaciers to understand processes associated with ice flow. Using the interference of GNSS signals that bounce off of the ice sheet surface, we measure the surface height change near GNSS receivers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment (ASE). From surface height change, we infer daily accumulation rates that we use to understand the drivers of extreme precipitation in the ASE.

Arctic cyclones could be missing link in sea ice depletion models

A study gives possible insight into the underprediction of sea ice depletion and the formation of Arctic cyclones. The study could lead to more accurate weather and climate models and better forecasting of Arctic cyclones.

Astronomers unveil spectro-polarimetric properties of X-ray binary GX 9+1

Using the X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) and Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER), Indian astronomers have observed an X-ray binary system known as GX 9+1. Results of the observational campaign, presented in a paper published Feb. 4 on the arXiv pre-print server, shed more light on the spectro-polarimetric properties of this system.

Physically based modelling of glacier evolution under climate change in the tropical Andes

Physically based modelling of glacier evolution under climate change in the tropical Andes Jonathan D. Mackay, Nicholas E. Barrand, David M. Hannah, Emily Potter, Nilton Montoya, and Wouter Buytaert The Cryosphere, 19, 685–712, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-685-2025, 2025 We combine two globally capable glacier evolution models to include processes that are typically neglected but thought to control tropical glacier retreat (e.g. sublimation). We apply the model to Peru's Vilcanota-Urubamba Basin. The model captures observed glacier mass changes,but struggles with surface albedo dynamics. Projections show glacier mass shrinking to 17 % or 6 % of 2000 levels by 2100 under moderate- and high-emission scenarios, respectively.

Daily briefing: Why US scientists aren’t retiring

Nature, Published online: 12 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00483-8

How centuries of isolation shaped Greenlanders’ unique genetics

Nature, Published online: 12 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00443-2

Genetic data from Indigenous Greenlanders could help to narrow health-care gap

Nature, Published online: 12 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00091-6

Genetic architecture in Greenland is shaped by demography, structure and selection

Nature, Published online: 12 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08516-4

Model of Antarctica's water enhances sea level forecasts

Researchers have generated the first dataset of water flow beneath the entire Antarctic Ice Sheet, which will lead to more accurate projections of sea level rise. The team modeled Antarctica's subglacial environment. The dataset represents the researchers' best approximation of what the water flow underneath the ice sheet might currently look like. The results include numerous subglacial lakes developing below ice streams in both East and West Antarctica, and an extensive network of subglacial water channels that discharge large fluxes of water under many major glaciers.

An examination of changes in autumn Eurasian snow cover and its relationship with the winter Arctic Oscillation using 20th Century Reanalysis version 3

An examination of changes in autumn Eurasian snow cover and its relationship with the winter Arctic Oscillation using 20th Century Reanalysis version 3 Gareth J. Marshall The Cryosphere, 19, 663–683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-663-2025, 2025 Eurasian autumn snow cover (SC) can influence Northern Hemisphere weather in the following winter by affecting the Arctic Oscillation (AO) mode of atmospheric variability. Using data back to 1836, we show that there have been significant decreases in October and November SC. For the first time, we describe a robust relationship between September SC in northeastern Eurasia and the AO. In addition, the longer dataset reveals the temporal variability in previously identified SC–AO relationships.

Extreme precipitation associated with atmospheric rivers over West Antarctic ice shelves: insights from kilometre-scale regional climate modelling

Extreme precipitation associated with atmospheric rivers over West Antarctic ice shelves: insights from kilometre-scale regional climate modelling Ella Gilbert, Denis Pishniak, José Abraham Torres, Andrew Orr, Michelle Maclennan, Nander Wever, and Kristiina Verro The Cryosphere, 19, 597–618, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-597-2025, 2025 We use three sophisticated climate models to examine extreme precipitation in a critical region of West Antarctica. We found that rainfall probably occurred during the two cases we examined and that it was generated by the interaction of air with steep topography. Our results show that kilometre-scale models are useful tools for exploring extreme precipitation in this region and that more observations of rainfall are needed.

The 2025 Snow Moon Will be Visible Before Valentine's Day — Here's What to Know

Learn about the upcoming snow moon that will happen on February 12, 2025, and how February sometimes doesn’t have a full moon.

New autonomous system to monitor Arctic's melting ice

Researchers have designed an alternative, autonomous observational method to monitor the Arctic's melting ice, which holds promise for improving the autonomy of marine vehicles, aiding in maritime missions, and gaining a deeper understanding of how melting Arctic sea ice affects marine ecosystems. Their conceptual design features a small waterplane area twin hull vessel that acts as a docking and charging station for autonomous underwater vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles, using solar and turbine energy to enable continuous monitoring.

The Big Idea: how do our brains know what’s real?

From seeing things to hearing voices, there’s a finer line between hallucination and reality than you might suppose

When did you last hallucinate? “The visionary tendency is much more common among sane people than is generally suspected,” wrote the 19th-century psychologist Sir Francis Galton. Setting aside the vivid, often emotive, cinema of our dreams, we are all more vulnerable to “seeing things” than we might at first suppose.

Around four fifths of people who have recently been bereaved report an encounter with their loved one: most commonly a lively sense of their presence, but some hear, see or speak with them. Up to 60% of people who lose sight in later life see things that aren’t there, sometimes extravagant images such as the “two young men … wearing magnificent cloaks … their hats … trimmed with silver” who appeared in the first reported case of Charles Bonnet syndrome, as this phenomenon is known, before “dissolving” away. A 20-year-old woman blindfolded for 12 hours saw “cities, skies, kaleidoscopes, lions and sunsets so bright she could ‘barely look at them’”. After losing a limb, most people carry a “constant or inconstant phantom of the missing member”, as Weir Mitchell, the American neurologist who coined the term phantom limb after studying 90 cases from the American civil war, put it. Pilots on long flights, travellers through snowstorms and deserts, prisoners and hostages held in darkness; their restless brains are all prone to see the things of which they’re being deprived.

The Greenland Ice Sheet is fracturing faster than expected

Nature, Published online: 10 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00408-5

An Arctic 'beyond recognition' by 2100

Based on the current pledges of countries for limiting their emissions of greenhouse gases, global temperatures are projected to reach 2.7 degrees Celsius beyond pre-industrial levels by the end of this century. A new review paper highlights how this would dramatically reshape the Arctic, the fastest-warming region of Earth.

Earth from space: Snow-capped Swiss Alps

The ranges and valleys of the Swiss Alps stand out in this image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission in December 2024.

Earth from Space: Snow-capped Swiss Alps

Image: The ranges and valleys of the Swiss Alps stand out in this image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission in December 2024.

Physics-aware machine learning for glacier ice thickness estimation: a case study for Svalbard

Physics-aware machine learning for glacier ice thickness estimation: a case study for Svalbard Viola Steidl, Jonathan Louis Bamber, and Xiao Xiang Zhu The Cryosphere, 19, 645–661, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-645-2025, 2025 Glacier ice thickness is difficult to measure directly but is essential for glacier evolution modelling. In this work, we employ a novel approach combining physical knowledge and data-driven machine learning to estimate the ice thickness of multiple glaciers in Spitsbergen, Barentsøya, and Edgeøya in Svalbard. We identify challenges for the physics-aware machine learning model and opportunities for improving the accuracy and physical consistency that would also apply to other geophysical tasks.

Formation and fate of freshwater on an ice floe in the Central Arctic

Formation and fate of freshwater on an ice floe in the Central Arctic Madison M. Smith, Niels Fuchs, Evgenii Salganik, Donald K. Perovich, Ian Raphael, Mats A. Granskog, Kirstin Schulz, Matthew D. Shupe, and Melinda Webster The Cryosphere, 19, 619–644, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-619-2025, 2025 The fate of freshwater from Arctic sea ice and snowmelt impacts interactions of the atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean. We complete a comprehensive analysis of datasets from a 2020 central Arctic field campaign to understand the drivers of the sea ice freshwater budget and the fate of this water. Over half of the freshwater comes from surface melt, and a majority fraction is incorporated into the ocean. Results suggest that the representation of melt ponds is a key area for future development.

Ice streams move due to tiny ice quakes

An international team of researchers has shown that countless tiny ice quakes take place in one of Greenland's mightiest ice streams. This finding will allow the flowing of the ice sheet and associated changes in sea level to be estimated more accurately.

In Greenland, the Ice Doesn’t Just Flow, It Quivers and Quakes

By using a fiber-optic cable to detect tiny vibrations a mile below the surface, scientists discovered a surprising way that ice sheets move.

Hole drilled into Greenland's heart reveals ice ready to slide into the sea

Unique drilling project has ominous implications for sea-level rise

An Antarctic Fossil From 69 Million Years Ago Reveals Earth’s Early Birds

Learn more about Vegavis iaai, an ancient ancestor of modern-day ducks, and one of the earliest modern birds ever discovered.

The Search for the Original Silly Goose in the Fossil Record

Some paleontologists think that fossils recovered from Antarctica are evidence of birds similar to modern geese and ducks that lived alongside the dinosaurs.

As Scandinavian peninsula rises from sea, new satellite data show gravity changes

Bouncing back from under the weight of Ice Age glaciers which have long since vanished, the Nordic region land mass is slowly rising above sea level.

An ancestor of ducks and geese paddled and dove alongside dinosaurs in Antarctica

Exquisite, fossilized skull sheds light on the evolutionary origins of waterfowl

Historical snow measurements in the central and southern Apennine Mountains: climatology, variability, and trend

Historical snow measurements in the central and southern Apennine Mountains: climatology, variability, and trend Vincenzo Capozzi, Francesco Serrapica, Armando Rocco, Clizia Annella, and Giorgio Budillon The Cryosphere, 19, 565–595, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-565-2025, 2025 This “journey through time” discovers historical information about snow precipitation in the Italian Apennines. In this area, in the second half of the past century, a gradual decline in snow persistence on the ground, as well as in the frequency of occurrence of snowfall events, has been observed, especially in sites located above 1000 m above sea level. The old data rescued in this study strongly enhance our knowledge about past snowfall variability and climate in the Mediterranean area.

Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze

A new study reveals how polar bears manage to get wet in the cold without freezing.

Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze

New research finds grease that coats polar bear fur contains a specialized mixture of chemicals that make it resistant to freezing

Cretaceous Antarctic bird skull elucidates early avian ecological diversity

Nature, Published online: 05 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08390-0

Topological water-wave structures manipulating particles

Nature, Published online: 05 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08384-y

Fossil bird skull suggests Antarctic waterfowl survived Cretaceous mass extinction

Nature, Published online: 05 February 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-04153-z

ISMIP6-based Antarctic projections to 2100: simulations with the BISICLES ice sheet model

ISMIP6-based Antarctic projections to 2100: simulations with the BISICLES ice sheet model James F. O'Neill, Tamsin L. Edwards, Daniel F. Martin, Courtney Shafer, Stephen L. Cornford, Hélène L. Seroussi, Sophie Nowicki, Mira Adhikari, and Lauren J. Gregoire The Cryosphere, 19, 541–563, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-541-2025, 2025 We use an ice sheet model to simulate the Antarctic contribution to sea level over the 21st century under a range of future climates and varying how sensitive the ice sheet is to different processes. We find that ocean temperatures increase and more snow falls on the ice sheet under stronger warming scenarios. When the ice sheet is sensitive to ocean warming, ocean melt-driven loss exceeds snowfall-driven gains, meaning that the sea level contribution is greater with more climate warming.

Buffalo Bills Fans Have It Tough, Especially in Antarctica

Research scientists in remote locations need to get creative in order to follow their favorite teams, even when they don’t like the outcomes.

Why scientists are counting tiny marine creatures from Space

Differences in seawater colour could reveal how tiny Antarctic creatures are faring in a warming world.

Temperature, rainfall and tides speed glacier flow on a daily basis

Detailed study of a Greenland glacier's flow rate reveals the impact of environmental conditions.

More, bigger crevasses open up in Greenland ice sheet, threatening increased sea level rise

More crevasse activity could lead to positive feedback loop threatening Greenland glacier's stability.

Greenland ice sheet cracking more rapidly than ever, study shows

Crevasses increasing in size and depth in response to climate breakdown, Durham University researchers find

The Greenland ice sheet – the second largest body of ice in the world – is cracking more rapidly than ever before as a response to climate breakdown, a study has found.

Researchers used 8,000 three-dimensional surface maps from high-resolution commercial satellite imagery to assess the evolution of cracks in the surface of the ice sheet between 2016 and 2021.

Sea ice climbs to second lowest January

Planet party and snow moon to shine over California: When to watch the sky

Californians watching the sky in February have the chance to view a parade of planets and a snow moon. The planetary alignment that began in January will continue into February, according to AccuWeather.

'Genocide against Greenland': The country's dark history - and does it want Trump?

The US president's talk about taking control has come at a time when many on the island are already considering their future

Increased crevassing across accelerating Greenland Ice Sheet margins

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 03 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01636-6

Ice speed of a Greenlandic tidewater glacier modulated by tide, melt, and rain

Ice speed of a Greenlandic tidewater glacier modulated by tide, melt, and rain Shin Sugiyama, Shun Tsutaki, Daiki Sakakibara, Izumi Asaji, Ken Kondo, Yefan Wang, Evgeny Podolskiy, Guillaume Jouvet, and Martin Funk The Cryosphere, 19, 525–540, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-525-2025, 2025 We report flow speed variations near the front of a tidewater glacier in Greenland. Ice flow near the glacier front is crucial for the mass loss of the Greenland ice sheet, but in situ data are hard to obtain. Our unique in situ GPS data revealed fine details of short-term speed variations associated with melting, ocean tides, and rain. The results are important for understanding the response of tidewater glaciers to changing environments, such as warming, more frequent rain, and ice thinning.

Subglacial discharge effects on basal melting of a rotating, idealized ice shelf

Subglacial discharge effects on basal melting of a rotating, idealized ice shelf Irena Vaňková, Xylar Asay-Davis, Carolyn Branecky Begeman, Darin Comeau, Alexander Hager, Matthew Hoffman, Stephen F. Price, and Jonathan Wolfe The Cryosphere, 19, 507–523, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-507-2025, 2025 We study the effect of subglacial discharge on basal melting for Antarctic ice shelves. We find that the results from previous studies of vertical ice fronts and two-dimensional ice tongues do not translate to the rotating ice-shelf framework. The melt rate dependence on discharge is stronger in the rotating framework. Further, there is a substantial melt-rate sensitivity to the location of the discharge along the grounding line relative to the directionality of the Coriolis force.

Groundwater in Arctic is delivering more carbon into the ocean than was previously known

A relatively small amount of groundwater trickling through Alaska's tundra is releasing huge quantities of carbon into the ocean, where it can contribute to climate change.

Polar bear population decline the direct result of extended 'energy deficit' due to lack of food

U of T Scarborough researchers have directly linked population decline in polar bears living in Western Hudson Bay to shrinking sea ice caused by climate change.

Antarctic fast ice secrets

Scientists have successfully analyzed more than 30 years of vital data on the thickness of landfast sea ice in Antarctica's McMurdo Sound, which will prove useful to measure future impacts of climate change.

Bad hair bears! Greasy hair gives polar bears fur with anti-icing properties

Scientists have discovered the anti-icing secret of polar bear fur -- something that allows one of the planet's most iconic animals to survive and thrive in one of its most punishing climates. That secret? Greasy hair. After some polar sleuthing, which involved scrutiny of hair collected from six polar bears in the wild, the scientists homed in on the hair 'sebum' (or grease) as the all-important protectant. This sebum, which is made up of cholesterol, diacylglycerols, and fatty acids, makes it very hard for ice to attach to their fur. While this finding sheds fascinating new light on our understanding of polar bear -- and even Inuit -- ecology, it may also have a suite of unrelated applications, with a similar concoction of artificially made sebum promising to be useful as an anti-ice surface coating, or in next-gen ski skins used by skiers and snowboarders.

An Unwashed, Greasy Hair Day Actually Keeps Polar Bears Ice-Free

Learn more about polar bear sebum, the oil on their fur that prevents ice from sticking to them, and how it could be used to replace certain PFAS.

Polar bear fur has a built-in deicing feature

An analysis of the Arctic animals’ fur reveals chemical clues to how they stay ice-free

Pressurised water flow in fractured permafrost rocks revealed by borehole temperature, electrical resistivity tomography, and piezometric pressure

Pressurised water flow in fractured permafrost rocks revealed by borehole temperature, electrical resistivity tomography, and piezometric pressure Maike Offer, Samuel Weber, Michael Krautblatter, Ingo Hartmeyer, and Markus Keuschnig The Cryosphere, 19, 485–506, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-485-2025, 2025 We present a unique long-term dataset of measurements of borehole temperature, repeated electrical resistivity tomography, and piezometric pressure to investigate the complex seasonal water flow in permafrost rockwalls. Our joint analysis shows that permafrost rocks are subjected to enhanced pressurised water flow during the thaw period, resulting in push-like warming events and long-lasting rock temperature regime changes.  

Separating snow and ice melt using water stable isotopes and glacio-hydrological modelling: towards improving the application of isotope analyses in highly glacierized catchments

Separating snow and ice melt using water stable isotopes and glacio-hydrological modelling: towards improving the application of isotope analyses in highly glacierized catchments Tom Müller, Mauro Fischer, Stuart N. Lane, and Bettina Schaefli The Cryosphere, 19, 423–458, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-423-2025, 2025 Based on extensive field observations in a highly glacierized catchment in the Swiss Alps, we develop a combined isotopic and glacio-hydrological model. We show that water stable isotopes may help to better constrain model parameters, especially those linked to water transfer. However, we highlight that separating snow and ice melt for temperate glaciers based on isotope mixing models alone is not advised and should only be considered if their isotopic signatures have clearly different values.

High-resolution 4D electrical resistivity tomography and below-ground point sensor monitoring of High Arctic deglaciated sediments capture zero-curtain effects, freeze–thaw transitions, and mid-winter thawing

High-resolution 4D electrical resistivity tomography and below-ground point sensor monitoring of High Arctic deglaciated sediments capture zero-curtain effects, freeze–thaw transitions, and mid-winter thawing Mihai O. Cimpoiasu, Oliver Kuras, Harry Harrison, Paul B. Wilkinson, Philip Meldrum, Jonathan E. Chambers, Dane Liljestrand, Carlos Oroza, Steven K. Schmidt, Pacifica Sommers, Lara Vimercati, Trevor P. Irons, Zhou Lyu, Adam Solon, and James A. Bradley The Cryosphere, 19, 401–421, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-401-2025, 2025 Young Arctic sediments, uncovered by retreating glaciers, are in continuous development, shaped by how water infiltrates and is stored in the near subsurface. Harsh weather conditions at high latitudes make direct observation of these environments very difficult. To address this, we deployed two automated sensor installations in August 2021 on a glacier forefield in Svalbard. These sensors recorded continuously for 1 year, revealing unprecedented images of the ground’s freeze–thaw transition.

Benchmarking passive-microwave-satellite-derived freeze–thaw datasets

Benchmarking passive-microwave-satellite-derived freeze–thaw datasets Annett Bartsch, Xaver Muri, Markus Hetzenecker, Kimmo Rautiainen, Helena Bergstedt, Jan Wuite, Thomas Nagler, and Dmitry Nicolsky The Cryosphere, 19, 459–483, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-459-2025, 2025 We developed a robust freeze–thaw detection approach, applying a constant threshold to Copernicus Sentinel-1 data that is suitable for tundra regions. All global, coarser-resolution products, tested with the resulting benchmarking dataset, are of value for freeze–thaw retrieval, although differences were found depending on the seasons, particularly during the spring and autumn transition.

Enhanced energy storage in antiferroelectrics via antipolar frustration

Nature, Published online: 29 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08505-7

Antarctic ice shelf kept its cool during the last interglacial period

Nature, Published online: 29 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00190-4

The Ronne Ice Shelf survived the last interglacial

Nature, Published online: 29 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08394-w

A Methane-Spewing Mud Volcano Gives Sanctuary to Arctic Seafloor Species

Learn about the Borealis Mud Volcano on the Arctic seafloor and its role in maintaining biodiversity, which is driven by methane emissions.

Danish PM in whirlwind EU trip as Greenland unease grows

The Danish PM's tour of three capitals betrayed the nervousness felt in Denmark over Trump's repeated comments.

Mapping Antarctica's hidden ice-free lands: a blueprint for conservation

Researchers unveil a new map and classification system that will help protect the unique plants and animals of Earth's most remote and fragile continent.

Antarctic ice sheet faces 'death by a thousand cuts'

Smaller calving events, not large icebergs, drive Antarctic ice sheet loss.

Brief communication: Monitoring snow depth using small, cheap, and easy-to-deploy snow–ground interface temperature sensors

Brief communication: Monitoring snow depth using small, cheap, and easy-to-deploy snow–ground interface temperature sensors Claire L. Bachand, Chen Wang, Baptiste Dafflon, Lauren N. Thomas, Ian Shirley, Sarah Maebius, Colleen M. Iversen, and Katrina E. Bennett The Cryosphere, 19, 393–400, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-393-2025, 2025 Temporally continuous snow depth estimates are important for understanding changing snow patterns and impacts on frozen ground in the Arctic. In this work, we developed an approach to predict snow depth from variability in snow–ground interface temperature using small temperature sensors that are cheap and easy to deploy. This new technique enables spatially distributed and temporally continuous snowpack monitoring that has not previously been possible.

Evidence of active subglacial lakes under a slowly moving coastal region of the Antarctic Ice Sheet

Evidence of active subglacial lakes under a slowly moving coastal region of the Antarctic Ice Sheet Jennifer F. Arthur, Calvin Shackleton, Geir Moholdt, Kenichi Matsuoka, and Jelte van Oostveen The Cryosphere, 19, 375–392, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-375-2025, 2025 Lakes can form beneath the large ice sheets and can influence ice-sheet dynamics and stability. Some of these subglacial lakes are active, meaning that they periodically drain and refill. Here we report seven new active subglacial lakes close to the Antarctic Ice Sheet margin using satellite measurements of ice surface height changes in a region where little was known previously. These findings improve our understanding of subglacial hydrology and will help refine subglacial hydrological models.

History and dynamics of Fennoscandian Ice Sheet retreat, contemporary ice-dammed lake evolution, and faulting in the Torneträsk area, northwestern Sweden

History and dynamics of Fennoscandian Ice Sheet retreat, contemporary ice-dammed lake evolution, and faulting in the Torneträsk area, northwestern Sweden Karlijn Ploeg and Arjen P. Stroeven The Cryosphere, 19, 347–373, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-347-2025, 2025 Mapping of glacial landforms using lidar data shows that the retreating margin of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet dammed a series of lakes in the Torneträsk Basin during deglaciation. These lakes were more extensive than previously thought and produced outburst floods. We show that sections of the Pärvie Fault, the longest glacially activated fault of Sweden, ruptured multiple times and during the existence of ice-dammed lake Torneträsk.

Denmark to spend billions more on Arctic security

The move comes after President Donald Trump said he wants to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

How animal poop helps ecosystems adapt to climate change

Relatives of the llama are dropping dung as they venture into higher elevations in the Andes Mountains, providing a nutrient-rich environment for life to thrive despite glacier loss.

Unraveling the connection between Canadian wildfires and Arctic ice clouds

Ice nucleating particles as a kind of aerosols have a significant impact on the Arctic climate by promoting the formation of ice clouds at a temperature above -- 38 degrees Celsius. Wildfires in mid-latitudinal areas are a major source of these aerosols. However, a direct observation of wildfire-emitted aerosols facilitating ice cloud formation has never been documented. Now, using field and climate data, scientists have linked aerosols emitted by Canadian wildfires in 2023 to the formation of ice clouds over the Arctic Ocean.

Snow depth estimation on leadless landfast ice using Cryo2Ice satellite observations

Snow depth estimation on leadless landfast ice using Cryo2Ice satellite observations Monojit Saha, Julienne Stroeve, Dustin Isleifson, John Yackel, Vishnu Nandan, Jack Christopher Landy, and Hoi Ming Lam The Cryosphere, 19, 325–346, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-325-2025, 2025 Snow on sea ice is vital for near-shore sea ice geophysical and biological processes. Past studies have measured snow depths using the satellite altimeters Cryosat-2 and ICESat-2 (Cryo2Ice), but estimating sea surface height from leadless landfast sea ice remains challenging. Snow depths from Cryo2Ice are compared to in situ data after adjusting for tides. Realistic snow depths are retrieved, but differences in roughness, satellite footprints, and snow geophysical properties are identified.

Inside the race for Greenland's mineral wealth

The territory's untapped mineral wealth has caught the eye of both mining firms and Donald Trump.

Here's why Trump's pursuit of Greenland is really about the control over the Arctic

According to experts, Greenland is "ground zero for how the Arctic has become more geopolitically and strategically significant."

Trump says he believes US will 'get Greenland'

The president told reporters the island's 57,000 residents "want to be with us".

Assessing the suitability of sites near Pine Island Glacier for subglacial bedrock drilling aimed at detecting Holocene retreat–readvance

Assessing the suitability of sites near Pine Island Glacier for subglacial bedrock drilling aimed at detecting Holocene retreat–readvance Joanne S. Johnson, John Woodward, Ian Nesbitt, Kate Winter, Seth Campbell, Keir A. Nichols, Ryan A. Venturelli, Scott Braddock, Brent M. Goehring, Brenda Hall, Dylan H. Rood, and Greg Balco The Cryosphere, 19, 303–324, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-303-2025, 2025 Determining where and when the Antarctic ice sheet was smaller than present requires recovery and exposure dating of subglacial bedrock. Here we use ice sheet model outputs and field data (geological and glaciological observations, bedrock samples, and ground-penetrating radar) to assess the suitability for subglacial drilling of sites in the Hudson Mountains, West Antarctica. We find that no sites are perfect, but two are feasible, with the most suitable being Winkie Nunatak (74.86°S, 99.77°W).

New Research Finds Potential Alternative to Abortion Pill Mifepristone

The research could further complicate the polarized politics of abortion because the drug in the study is the key ingredient in a pill used for emergency contraception.

Present-day mass loss rates are a precursor for West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse

Present-day mass loss rates are a precursor for West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse Tim van den Akker, William H. Lipscomb, Gunter R. Leguy, Jorjo Bernales, Constantijn J. Berends, Willem Jan van de Berg, and Roderik S. W. van de Wal The Cryosphere, 19, 283–301, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-283-2025, 2025 In this study, we present an improved way of representing ice thickness change rates in an ice sheet model. We apply this method using two ice sheet models of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. We found that the two largest outlet glaciers on the Antarctic Ice Sheet, Thwaites Glacier and Pine Island Glacier, will collapse without further warming on a timescale of centuries. This would cause a sea level rise of about 1.2 m globally.

Permafrost Thaw and Wildfires Are Raising CO2 Emissions in Arctic Tundras

Learn about hotspots in tundras and boreal forests that are releasing higher level of carbon dioxide, altering the carbon balance in the world's coldest regions.

PUNCH spacecraft make final pit stop before launch

Four small suitcase-sized spacecraft, designed and built by Southwest Research Institute, have made a final Earth-side pit stop at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. NASA's Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission is sharing a ride to space with the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) observatory.

Snow flurries are rare in US south – now a blizzard has hit

Snow and freezing rain hits parts of the deep south, closing highways and airports and prompting a first-ever blizzard warning in southwest Louisiana.

Creep enhancement and sliding in a temperate, hard-bedded alpine glacier

Creep enhancement and sliding in a temperate, hard-bedded alpine glacier Juan-Pedro Roldán-Blasco, Adrien Gilbert, Luc Piard, Florent Gimbert, Christian Vincent, Olivier Gagliardini, Anuar Togaibekov, Andrea Walpersdorf, and Nathan Maier The Cryosphere, 19, 267–282, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-267-2025, 2025 The flow of glaciers and ice sheets results from ice deformation and basal sliding driven by gravitational forces. Quantifying the rate at which ice deforms under its own weight is critical for assessing glacier evolution. This study uses borehole instrumentation in an Alpine glacier to quantify ice deformation and constrain ice viscosity in a natural setting. Our results show that the viscosity of ice at 0 °C is largely influenced by interstitial liquid water, which enhances ice deformation.

Large study broadens view of the genetic landscape of bipolar disorder

Nature, Published online: 22 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00101-7

Field–particle energy transfer during chorus emissions in space

Nature, Published online: 22 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08402-z

Genomics yields biological and phenotypic insights into bipolar disorder

Nature, Published online: 22 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08468-9

Extreme climate pushed thousands of lakes in West Greenland 'across a tipping point,' study finds

Following two months of record heat and precipitation in fall 2022, an estimated 7,500 lakes in West Greenland turned brown, began emitting carbon and decreased in water quality in less than a year. The spike in temperatures caused the precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow. The heat also caused permafrost to thaw, releasing an abundance of carbon, iron, magnesium and other elements that the rain washed into the lakes. Researchers found a decrease in phytoplankton that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis within the lakes, and an increase in plankton that break down and release carbon. Instead of sequestering carbon dioxide in the summer, the lakes have become a source of it, with a 350% increase in the flux of this greenhouse gas from them.

Wildfires offset the increasing but spatially heterogeneous Arctic–boreal CO₂ uptake

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 21 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02234-5

Wave erosion, frontal bending, and calving at Ross Ice Shelf

Wave erosion, frontal bending, and calving at Ross Ice Shelf Nicolas B. Sartore, Till J. W. Wagner, Matthew R. Siegfried, Nimish Pujara, and Lucas K. Zoet The Cryosphere, 19, 249–265, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-249-2025, 2025 We investigate how waves may erode the front of Antarctica's largest ice shelf, Ross Ice Shelf, and how this results in bending forces that can cause deformation of the near-front shelf and trigger intermediate-scale calving (with icebergs of lengths ∼ 100 m). We compare satellite observations to theoretical estimates of erosion and ice shelf bending in order to better understand the processes underlying this type of calving and its role in the overall ice shelf mass flux.

Five decades of Abramov glacier dynamics reconstructed with multi-sensor optical remote sensing

Five decades of Abramov glacier dynamics reconstructed with multi-sensor optical remote sensing Enrico Mattea, Etienne Berthier, Amaury Dehecq, Tobias Bolch, Atanu Bhattacharya, Sajid Ghuffar, Martina Barandun, and Martin Hoelzle The Cryosphere, 19, 219–247, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-219-2025, 2025 We reconstruct the evolution of terminus position, ice thickness, and surface flow velocity of the reference Abramov glacier (Kyrgyzstan) from 1968 to present. We describe a front pulsation in the early 2000s and the multi-annual present-day buildup of a new pulsation. Such dynamic instabilities can challenge the representativity of Abramov as a reference glacier. For our work we used satellite‑based optical remote sensing from multiple platforms, including recently declassified archives.

Earth from Space: Frozen borders

Image: This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image captures the borders between North and South Dakota and Minnesota blanketed with snow and ice.

Benchmarking of snow water equivalent (SWE) products based on outcomes of the SnowPEx+ Intercomparison Project

Benchmarking of snow water equivalent (SWE) products based on outcomes of the SnowPEx+ Intercomparison Project Lawrence Mudryk, Colleen Mortimer, Chris Derksen, Aleksandra Elias Chereque, and Paul Kushner The Cryosphere, 19, 201–218, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-201-2025, 2025 We evaluate and rank 23 different datasets on their ability to accurately estimate historical snow amounts. The evaluation uses new a set of surface snow measurements with improved spatial coverage, enabling evaluation across both mountainous and nonmountainous regions. Performance measures vary tremendously across the products: while most perform reasonably in nonmountainous regions, accurate representation of snow amounts in mountainous regions and of historical trends is much more variable.

Greenland’s melting ice is clearing the way for a mineral ‘gold rush’

Greenland, a vast but sparsely populated Arctic island, has been transformed by the climate crisis in recent decades.

How to be a brilliant ally to your neurodivergent lab mate

Nature, Published online: 17 January 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00125-z

Thawing permafrost threatens up to three million people in Arctic regions

In an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary study, an international team examined the social risks for Arctic regions associated with thawing permafrost. They identified five key risks related to infrastructure, transport and supply, water quality, food security and health. The scientists found that the thawing permafrost posed an increased risk of exposure to infectious diseases and release of contaminants, and interruptions of supply routes.

Speleothem and ice cores: Natural climate archives offer new insights into the climate history of central Europe

The synchronization of data from two natural climate archives -- a speleothem from the Herbstlabyrinth Cave in Hesse (Germany) and ice cores from Greenland -- offers new insights into the chronology of abrupt climate changes in Central Europe. According to the analysis, the devastating eruption of the Laacher See volcano in what is now Rhineland-Palatinate occurred earlier than previously assumed and hence could not have triggered the sudden-onset cold period of approximately 13,000 years ago, geoscientists have found.

How satellite imagery can help monitor dangerous lakes formed by glacier surges near high-mountain communities

A new study analyzing a lake formed by a glacier surge in the Karakoram Mountains has revealed how satellite images can be used to monitor the potential for lake drainage hazards.

Pioneering research exposes huge loss of glaciers in one of the fastest-warming places on Earth

A new study has revealed the alarming extent glaciers have shrunk over the past 40 years in a global warming hotspot -- and the biggest retreat has occurred in recent years.

Up to Greenland to decide its future, Danish PM tells Trump

In her call with Trump, Mette Frederiksen also reiterated the Greenland PM's comments that it was "not for sale"

Surface processes and drivers of the snow water stable isotopic composition at Dome C, East Antarctica – a multi-dataset and modelling analysis

Surface processes and drivers of the snow water stable isotopic composition at Dome C, East Antarctica – a multi-dataset and modelling analysis Inès Ollivier, Hans Christian Steen-Larsen, Barbara Stenni, Laurent Arnaud, Mathieu Casado, Alexandre Cauquoin, Giuliano Dreossi, Christophe Genthon, Bénédicte Minster, Ghislain Picard, Martin Werner, and Amaëlle Landais The Cryosphere, 19, 173–200, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-173-2025, 2025 The role of post-depositional processes taking place at the ice sheet's surface on the water stable isotope signal measured in polar ice cores is not fully understood. Using field observations and modelling results, we show that the original precipitation isotopic signal at Dome C, East Antarctica, is modified by post-depositional processes and provide the first quantitative estimation of their mean impact on the isotopic signal observed in the snow.

Spectral induced polarization survey for the estimation of hydrogeological parameters in an active rock glacier

Spectral induced polarization survey for the estimation of hydrogeological parameters in an active rock glacier Clemens Moser, Umberto Morra di Cella, Christian Hauck, and Adrián Flores Orozco The Cryosphere, 19, 143–171, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-143-2025, 2025 We use electrical conductivity and induced polarization in an imaging framework to quantify hydrogeological parameters in the active Gran Sometta rock glacier. The results show high spatial variability in the hydrogeological parameters across the rock glacier and are validated by saltwater tracer tests coupled with 3D electrical conductivity imaging. Hydrogeological information was linked to kinematic data to further investigate its role in rock glacier movement.

From snowy cities to Mexican border - Trump deportations loom

'Do it the right way' Texas border residents tell migrants, while Chicago neighbourhoods prepare for raids.

Million-Year-Old Snow Leopard Bones Help Explain Their Rule During the Ice Age

Rare fossils challenge assumptions about how the big cats thrived in a challenging environment.

'My country is in crisis': A divided South Korea grapples with Yoon's arrest

The country is deeply polarised by the president's attempt to impose martial law.

Trump is fixated on Greenland — a vast Arctic island with massive resource potential

Mining executives and researchers describe the island's massive resource potential as an "enormous opportunity."

Atop the Oregon Cascades, team finds a huge buried aquifer

Scientists have mapped the amount of water stored beneath volcanic rocks at the crest of the central Oregon Cascades and found an aquifer many times larger than previously estimated -- at least 81 cubic kilometers. The finding has implications for the way scientists and policymakers think about water in the region -- an increasingly urgent issue across the Western United States as climate change reduces snowpack, intensifies drought and strains limited resources.

A hybrid ice-mélange model based on particle and continuum methods

A hybrid ice-mélange model based on particle and continuum methods Saskia Kahl, Carolin Mehlmann, and Dirk Notz The Cryosphere, 19, 129–141, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-129-2025, 2025 Ice mélange, a mixture of sea ice and icebergs, can impact sea-ice–ocean interactions. But climate models do not yet represent it due to computational limits. To address this shortcoming and include ice mélange into climate models, we suggest representing icebergs as particles. We integrate their feedback into mathematical equations used to model the sea-ice motion in climate models. The setup is computationally efficient due to the iceberg particle usage and enables a realistic representation.

Researchers in Antarctica find ice from a million years ago

Scientists in Antarctica have dug out ice that can be from as far back as 1.2 million years. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks to researcher Carlo Barbante, about what he hopes to learn from the ice.

Trump threats cast ominous shadow over icy fjords of Greenland

In the isolated settlement of Kapisillit, Greenlanders tell the BBC's Fergal Keane Donald Trump is welcome to visit - "but that's it".

Trump wants to take Greenland: Four ways this saga could go

The BBC investigates possible scenarios for the huge Arctic territory's future as the US president-elect talks about taking control of it.

Passengers evacuate plane on snowy tarmac amid storm

The Delta flight, with more than 200 passengers on board, was suspended shortly after takeoff due to engine issues.

Modelling GNSS-observed seasonal velocity changes of the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, using the Ice-sheet and Sea-level System Model (ISSM)

Modelling GNSS-observed seasonal velocity changes of the Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica, using the Ice-sheet and Sea-level System Model (ISSM) Francesca Baldacchino, Nicholas R. Golledge, Mathieu Morlighem, Huw Horgan, Alanna V. Alevropoulos-Borrill, Alena Malyarenko, Alexandra Gossart, Daniel P. Lowry, and Laurine van Haastrecht The Cryosphere, 19, 107–127, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-107-2025, 2025 Understanding how the Ross Ice Shelf flow is changing in a warming world is important for predicting ice sheet change. Field measurements show clear intra-annual variations in ice flow; however, it is unclear what mechanisms drive this variability. We show that local perturbations in basal melt can have a significant impact on ice flow speed, but a combination of forcings is likely driving the observed variability in ice flow.

Updated Arctic melt pond fraction dataset and trends 2002–2023 using ENVISAT and Sentinel-3 remote sensing data

Updated Arctic melt pond fraction dataset and trends 2002–2023 using ENVISAT and Sentinel-3 remote sensing data Larysa Istomina, Hannah Niehaus, and Gunnar Spreen The Cryosphere, 19, 83–105, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-83-2025, 2025 Melt water puddles, or melt ponds on top of the Arctic sea ice, are a good measure of the Arctic climate state. In the context of recent climate warming, the Arctic has warmed about 4 times faster than the rest of the world, and a long-term dataset of the melt pond fraction is needed to be able to model the future development of the Arctic climate. We present such a dataset, produce 2002–2023 trends and highlight a potential melt regime shift with drastic regional trends of + 20 % per decade.

Danes struggle with response to Trump Greenland threat

Copenhagen's grey winter skies match the mood among politicians and business leaders in the face of a crisis.

Researchers use lab data to rewrite equation for deformation, flow of watery glacier ice

Laboratory experiments designed to deform ice at its pressure-melting temperature were like grabbing a bagel at the top and the bottom, then twisting the two halves to smear the cream cheese in the middle, according to new research. The resulting data could lead to more accurate models of temperate glacier ice and better predictions of glacier flow and sea-level rise.

Russia's Kremlin says it's watching Trump's pursuit of Greenland closely

The Kremlin said Thursday that it's keeping a close eye on President-elect Donald Trump's ongoing pursuit of Greenland.

Russia keeping close eye on Trump's claim to Greenland

The Kremlin reacts to the US president-elect's remarks saying the Arctic is in Russia's sphere of interest.

Million year-old bubbles could solve ice age mystery

What is probably the world's oldest ice, dating back 1.2m years ago, has been dug out from deep within Antarctica.

A major winter storm will bring snow to the South. Here are tips from winter experts

Southern states don't often deal with winter conditions, but New England does. New Hampshire especially has tips for how to prepare for a winter storm.

A topographically controlled tipping point for complete Greenland ice sheet melt

A topographically controlled tipping point for complete Greenland ice sheet melt Michele Petrini, Meike D. W. Scherrenberg, Laura Muntjewerf, Miren Vizcaino, Raymond Sellevold, Gunter R. Leguy, William H. Lipscomb, and Heiko Goelzer The Cryosphere, 19, 63–81, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-63-2025, 2025 Anthropogenic warming is causing accelerated Greenland ice sheet melt. Here, we use a computer model to understand how prolonged warming and ice melt could threaten ice sheet stability. We find a threshold beyond which Greenland will lose more than 80 % of its ice over several thousand years, due to the interaction of surface and solid-Earth processes. Nearly complete Greenland ice sheet melt occurs when the ice margin disconnects from a region of high elevation in western Greenland.

Ros Atkins on...Trump's threats to Greenland

The BBC's Analysis Editor Ros Atkins takes a look at why President-elect Donald Trump is talking about annexing Greenland.

Where is Greenland and why does Trump want it?

Though the president-elect's rhetoric is unusual, for over a century a succession of US presidents have tried to gain control of Greenland.

Machine learning of Antarctic firn density by combining radiometer and scatterometer remote-sensing data

Machine learning of Antarctic firn density by combining radiometer and scatterometer remote-sensing data Weiran Li, Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, and Stef Lhermitte The Cryosphere, 19, 37–61, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-37-2025, 2025 This study used a machine learning approach to estimate the densities over the Antarctic Ice Sheet, particularly in the areas where the snow is usually dry. The motivation is to establish a link between satellite parameters to snow densities, as measurements are difficult for people to take on site. It provides valuable insights into the complexities of the relationship between satellite parameters and firn density and provides potential for further studies.

European Union won't allow attacks on borders, French minister says after Trump's Greenland comments

In an interview on Wednesday, Jean-Noël Barrot addressed the U.S. President-elect's interest in Greenland.

Europe will not allow attacks, says France, after Trump Greenland threat

The intervention comes after Trump reiterated his desire to acquire the autonomous Danish territory.

Why Trump's pursuit of Greenland could be cheered on by Russia

President-elect Donald Trump's ongoing pursuit of Greenland may have raised the hackles of Denmark, but his territorial ambitions might find support in Russia.

A quasi-one-dimensional ice mélange flow model based on continuum descriptions of granular materials

A quasi-one-dimensional ice mélange flow model based on continuum descriptions of granular materials Jason M. Amundson, Alexander A. Robel, Justin C. Burton, and Kavinda Nissanka The Cryosphere, 19, 19–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-19-2025, 2025 Some fjords contain dense packs of icebergs referred to as ice mélange. Ice mélange can affect the stability of marine-terminating glaciers by resisting the calving of new icebergs and by modifying fjord currents and water properties. We have developed the first numerical model of ice mélange that captures its granular nature and that is suitable for long-timescale simulations. The model is capable of explaining why some glaciers are more strongly influenced by ice mélange than others.

How Canada's immigration debate soured - and helped seal Trudeau's fate

Immigration has long been a polarising issue in the West but Canada mostly avoided it - until now

Proximity ferroelectricity in wurtzite heterostructures

Nature, Published online: 08 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08295-y

New research reveals groundwater pathways across continent

Researchers have created a simulation that maps underground water on a continental scale. The result of three years' work studying groundwater from coast to coast, the findings plot the unseen path that each raindrop or melted snowflake takes before reemerging in freshwater streams, following water from land surface to depths far below and back up again, emerging up to 100 miles away, after spending from 10 to 100,000 years underground.

Trump won't rule out using U.S. military to control Panama Canal or Greenland

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. should control the Panama Canal and Greenland, and has also expressed a desire to make Canada a state.

Trump threatens 'very high' tariffs on Denmark over Greenland

In a rambling news conference, the president-elect also repeated the idea of the US taking over Canada and the Panama Canal.

New glacier thickness and bed topography maps for Svalbard

New glacier thickness and bed topography maps for Svalbard Ward van Pelt and Thomas Frank The Cryosphere, 19, 1–17, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1-2025, 2025 Accurate information on the ice thickness of Svalbard's glaciers is important for assessing the contribution to sea level rise in a present and a future climate. However, direct observations of the glacier bed are scarce. Here, we use an inverse approach and high-resolution surface observations to infer basal conditions. We present and analyse the new bed and thickness maps, quantify the ice volume (6800 km3), and compare these against radar data and previous studies.

The National Zoo's giant pandas make the most of DC's snow

The two giant pandas were seen on camera playing around in the snowfall that blanketed much of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic on Monday.

Lead pollution likely caused widespread IQ declines in ancient Rome, new study finds

Lead exposure is responsible for a range of human health impacts, with even relatively low levels impacting the cognitive development of children. Scientists have previously used atmospheric pollution records preserved in Arctic ice cores to identify periods of lead pollution throughout the Roman Empire, and now new research expands on this finding to identify how this pollution may have affected the European population.

Trump Jr to visit Greenland after father repeats desire for US ownership

The president-elect says US control of Greenland is an "absolute necessity".

Five dead as huge winter storm grips swathe of US

Seven US states declared emergencies owing to the polar vortex of icy air that usually circles the North Pole.

Floods linked to rise in US deaths from several major causes

Over the last 20 years, large floods were associated with up to 24.9 percent higher death rates from major mortality causes in the U.S. compared to normal conditions. A new study demonstrates the sweeping and hidden effects of floods --including floods unrelated to hurricanes, such as those due to heavy rain, snowmelt, or ice jams.

Marked decrease in Arctic pressure ridges

In the Arctic, the old, multiyear ice is increasingly melting, dramatically reducing the frequency and size of pressure ridges. These ridges are created when ice floes press against each other and become stacked, and are a characteristic feature of Arctic sea ice, an obstacle for shipping, but also an essential component of the ecosystem. In a recently released study scientists report on this trend and analyze observational data from three decades of aerial surveys.

Ringing in the new year with a warm Arctic

Newly discovered 'kiss and capture' mechanism explains the formation of Pluto and its largest moon

Billions of years ago, in the frigid outer reaches of our solar system, two icy worlds collided. Rather than destroying each other in a cosmic catastrophe, they spun together like a celestial snowman, finally separating while remaining forever linked in orbit. This is how Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, originated, according to a University of Arizona study that challenges decades of scientific assumptions.

What to know about winter storm hitting North America

The extreme weather is being caused by the polar vortex, an area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic.

Trump's eyeing Greenland - but other Arctic investment is frozen

While Trump eyes Greenland, Norway and Russia have put the brakes on their polar region investments.

Smoother sailing for Arctic ice

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 06 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02225-6

Climate change and terrigenous inputs decrease the efficiency of the future Arctic Ocean’s biological carbon pump

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 06 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02233-6

The changing nature of future Arctic marine heatwaves and its potential impacts on the ecosystem

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 06 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02224-7

Smoother sea ice with fewer pressure ridges in a more dynamic Arctic

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 06 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02199-5

Watch: Snow blankets parts of New York and Nebraska

Parts of the US have been covered in snow as a severe winter storm sweeps the country.

Chilean president makes historic trip to South Pole

Gabriel Boric is the first leader in the Americas to visit the South Pole, stressing Chile's "Antarctic mission".

The world record for "largest snowflake" is 15 inches. Is that possible?

Snowflakes. These intricate, whimsical crystals are a staple of magical wintry scenes, but how big can they really get? Well, according to the Guinness World Record keepers, the "largest snowflake" ever recorded was a whopping 15 inches in diameter. It was spotted near Missoula, Montana in 1887. But Kenneth Libbrecht, a physicist at Caltech, has long been skeptical of that record. So he set out to find what makes a snowflake a snowflake and whether that 1887 record is scientifically possible. You can read more about what he discovered here. (encore)Want to share the snowflakes you've spotted this winter? Email us a photo at shortwave@npr.org.

Limited decrease of Southern Ocean sulfur productivity across the penultimate termination

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 03 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01619-7

Substantial and overlooked greenhouse gas emissions from deep Arctic lake sediment

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 03 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01614-y

Increased wildfire activity may be a feature of past periods of abrupt climate change

A new study investigating ancient methane trapped in Antarctic ice suggests that global increases in wildfire activity likely occurred during periods of abrupt climate change throughout the last Ice Age.

A pulsar-like polarization angle swing from a nearby fast radio burst

Nature, Published online: 01 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08184-4

Diversity and biogeography of the bacterial microbiome in glacier-fed streams

Nature, Published online: 01 January 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08313-z

What the Mysterious Bloop Taught Us About Antarctica

Was the infamous “bloop” a sea monster? Learn why this noise was a good reminder that we should keep an eye on the South Pole.

In a Political Year, Some Deaths Spoke to the Struggles for Democracy

Among the notable figures who died in a sometimes polarizing 2024, many championed justice, equal rights and political freedom.

How five top CEOs described the AI boom in 2024

CEOs from Nvidia, CrowdStrike, Snowflake, AMD and Generac on how the new technology is affecting business and the broader tech sector.

In a Political Year, Some Deaths Spoke to the Struggles for Democracy

Among the notable figures who died in a sometimes polarizing 2024, many championed justice, equal rights and political freedom.

How a fox skull shape conquers the snow

Research explains how foxes hunting mice can plunge down into the snow at high speeds without injuring their poor little snouts.

The Magnetic North Pole Is Drifting Across the Arctic Toward Siberia

Learn why the magnetic north pole has been moving away from Canada and toward Siberia over the past century, accelerating in recent decades.

Weatherwatch: Chinese avalanche photos reveal electrical phenomenon

Star-gazer’s long-exposure shots unexpectedly capture mysterious blue light of triboluminescence

On 27 October, photographer Shengyu Li set up his camera on a long exposure to record stars in the night sky near a mountain in Sichuan, China. As he waited, suddenly an unstable block of ice broke free from a glacier near the peak of the mountain and set off an avalanche. Looking at his photographs afterwards revealed mysterious blue flashes given off from the avalanche, when the ice crashing down smashed into rocks and the friction gave off the flashes of blue light. It was a phenomenon called triboluminescence, which occurs when certain materials are mechanically stressed from fracturing, scratching or rubbing.

This strange effect was widely seen in the 1790s, when sugar began to be produced with more refined sugar crystals. These crystals were made into large cones which could be nipped into chunks as needed. If the nipping was done in dim light, it gave off tiny bursts of light. Something similar is caused by rubbing the sides of quartz crystals together or even when pulling sticky tape from a roll.

Snowboarder's death in Swiss Alps avalanche is a reminder that even pros face risk

The death of an Olympic snowboarding athlete is a reminder that even the most skilled and experienced athletes are not immune to the threat of avalanches, and that knowledge is key to staying safe.

Image: NASA's Terra satellite captures 2015 eclipse shadow

During the morning of March 20, 2015, a total solar eclipse was visible from parts of Europe, and a partial solar eclipse from northern Africa and northern Asia. NASA's Terra satellite passed over the Arctic Ocean on March 20 at 10:45 UTC (6:45 a.m. EDT) and captured the eclipse's shadow over the clouds in the Arctic Ocean.

Greenland and the Panama Canal aren't for sale. Why is Trump threatening to take them?

Trump's promises to use America's strength to its advantage helped propel him twice to the White House.

Penguins and iceberg-watching: Marking Christmas in Antarctica

Staff working out in the wilds of Antarctica share their Christmas Day plans.

Denmark boosts Greenland defence after Trump repeats desire for US control

The huge package is announced after the president-elect said US ownership of Greenland was a "necessity".

Skiing, wool baubles, ice-cream: how Antarctic scientists celebrate Christmas

From the Flask glacier to King George Island, intrepid researchers expect good cheer, snow and penguins

Many of us will not get a white Christmas this year, but a group of scientists are guaranteed one while carrying out research on the Antarctic peninsula.

While ice and good cheer are expected, their yuletide activities will be very different from those back home. Dr Kate Winter, of Northumbria University, and colleagues will be deploying instruments on Flask glacier to study the way that meltwater affects how quickly glaciers flow into the ocean.

Kids can talk to Santa through Christmas Eve thanks to shortwave radio

On Christmas Eve, scientists at field stations across Antarctica sing carols to one another...via shortwave. On today's episode, the Short Wave podcast explores shortwave radio. We speak with space physicist and electrical engineer Nathaniel Frissell about this Antarctic Christmas Carol tradition and his use of shortwave radio for community science.Read more about Santa Net, which connects children (known in the shortwave radio community as "little harmonics") with Santa.Want more tech stories? Let us know by emailing shortwave@npr.org!Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave.

Football stadium-sized balloons launch in Antarctica for science experiments

Scientists with NASA are launching enormous balloons, the size of a football stadium, from the Antarctic ice. They're carrying experiments on dark matter and other mysteries.

'World's best-preserved mammoth' found in Siberia – video

Researchers in Russia have unveiled the near intact carcass of a juvenile female mammoth, whose remarkably well-preserved remains were discovered in thawing permafrost after more than 50,000 years. The creature was recovered from the Batagaika crater, a huge depression more than 80 metres (260 feet) deep which is widening as a result of climate change

• Baby mammoth in Russia is the ‘best-preserved’ ever found

Greenland again tells Trump it is not for sale

It comes after the US president-elect repeated comments he made in 2019 that he would like to purchase the territory.

Baby mammoth in Russia is the ‘best-preserved’ ever found

The 50,000-year-old female, nicknamed Yana, is one of only seven whole remains discovered in world

Russian scientists have displayed the remarkably well-preserved remains of a baby mammoth found in the permafrost-covered region of Yakutia in Siberia.

The 50,000-year-old female mammoth has been nicknamed Yana after the river in whose basin it was discovered this summer. Experts say it is the best-preserved mammoth carcass in the world and is one of only seven whole remains ever found.

I interviewed 70 parents who raised highly successful adults: 4 things they wish they had known

"Raising an Entrepreneur" author Margot Machol Bisnow interviewed 70 parents whose children became successful adults. Here's what they wish they had known.

The joy of trivia: ‘We wrote our book together to intrigue each other’

After midlife burnout came a rediscovered curiosity for two friends and writers

It was the early 2000s, we were in our 20s and had both started as assistants at the same company. We bonded over excruciating induction sessions, where we had to reveal things like which cartoon character we most identified with (B: Danger Mouse; E: Marcie from Peanuts). We laughed a lot, but we also worked really hard – and pushed each other to do new things. Twenty years later, with six children between us as well as more senior jobs, we found ourselves bogged down by endless to-lists and the relentless pace of midlife. We realised we needed to rediscover and connect to the positives in the world around us. The answer lay in sparking each other’s curiosity.

Many studies have shown that having a curious mindset has real-life benefits, both for our bodies and our souls. Our brains have evolved to release dopamine when we discover new things, and dopamine boosts memory, creativity and forges new neural connections. Other research shows that having a driving sense of curiosity can break down barriers between people – particularly important in our increasingly polarised world – c uriosity helps us to build empathy, connectivity and respect for others.

ESA and NASA satellites deliver first joint picture of Greenland Ice Sheet melting

Scientists have delivered the first measurements of Greenland Ice Sheet thickness change using data from ESA and NASA ice satellite missions. With global warming causing the Greenland Ice Sheet to melt and flow more rapidly, raising sea levels and disturbing weather patterns across our planet, precise measurements of its changing shape are of critical importance for tracking and adapting to the effects of climate warming.

ESA and NASA deliver first joint picture of Greenland Ice Sheet melting

Global warming is driving the rapid melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, contributing to global sea level rise and disrupting weather patterns worldwide. Because of this, precise measurements of its changing shape are of critical importance for adapting to climate change.

Now, scientists have delivered the first measurements of the Greenland Ice Sheet’s changing shape using data from ESA's CryoSat and NASA's ICESat-2 ice missions.

The world's biggest and oldest iceberg is on the move once again

About the size of Rhode Island, the iceberg known as A23a got stuck in an ocean vortex this summer, spinning in place for months. Now, it's free, and heading back into open Antarctic waters.

Temporal stability of a new 40-year daily AVHRR land surface temperature dataset for the pan-Arctic region

Temporal stability of a new 40-year daily AVHRR land surface temperature dataset for the pan-Arctic region Sonia Dupuis, Frank-Michael Göttsche, and Stefan Wunderle The Cryosphere, 18, 6027–6059, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-6027-2024, 2024 The Arctic has experienced pronounced warming the last few decades. This warming threatens ecosystems, vegetation dynamics, snow cover duration, and permafrost. Traditional monitoring methods like stations and climate models lack the detail needed. Land surface temperature (LST) data derived from satellites offer high spatial and temporal coverage, perfect for studying changes in the Arctic. In particular, LST information from AVHRR provides a 40-year record, valuable for analysing trends.

Diversity of novel hydrothermal vent styles on the Arctic ocean floor

A new study about Earth's northernmost seafloor hydrothermal system shows even more variety in vent styles than previously thought. The study has important implications for understanding the origin of these vents and assessing their global-scale impact on the Earth-Ocean system. The study also has implications for understanding and searching for habitable environments, and potentially even life on other ocean worlds in our outer solar system, according to the study's authors. The surprising results found from detailed deep-ocean studies at Polaris call into question how much we really know about the nature of seafloor venting along all ultra-slow spreading ridges on Earth which remain largely unexplored but make up 25% of the global ridge crest.

News at a glance: Mars rover’s big ascent, Europa’s ice sheet, and House committee chairs

The latest in science and policy

Snow depth sensitivity to mean temperature, precipitation, and elevation in the Austrian and Swiss Alps

Snow depth sensitivity to mean temperature, precipitation, and elevation in the Austrian and Swiss Alps Matthew Switanek, Gernot Resch, Andreas Gobiet, Daniel Günther, Christoph Marty, and Wolfgang Schöner The Cryosphere, 18, 6005–6026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-6005-2024, 2024 Snow depth plays an important role in water resources, mountain tourism, and hazard management across the European Alps. Our study uses station-based historical observations to quantify how changes in temperature and precipitation affect average seasonal snow depth. We find that the relationship between these variables has been surprisingly robust over the last 120 years. This allows us to more accurately estimate how future climate will affect seasonal snow depth in different elevation zones.

Researchers explore, sample and interpret lunar volatiles in polar cold traps

The moon has both a South and North Pole, but just how cold are they? For context, Antarctica's coastal temperatures average around 14°F (-10°C), while the interior drops to -76°F (-60°C), making Earth's South Pole one of the coldest places on the planet. Recent research shows that the South Pole of the moon experiences even more extreme temperature fluctuations and freezing conditions.

Impact assessment of snow thickness, sea ice density and water density in CryoSat-2-derived sea ice thickness

Impact assessment of snow thickness, sea ice density and water density in CryoSat-2-derived sea ice thickness Imke Sievers, Henriette Skourup, and Till A. S. Rasmussen The Cryosphere, 18, 5985–6004, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5985-2024, 2024 To derive sea ice thickness (SIT) from satellite freeboard (FB) observations, assumptions about snow thickness, snow density, sea ice density and water density are needed. These parameters are impossible to observe alongside FB, so many existing products use empirical values. In this study, modeled values are used instead. The modeled values and otherwise commonly used empirical values are evaluated against in situ observations. In a further analysis, the influence on SIT is quantified.

Distributed surface mass balance of an avalanche-fed glacier

Distributed surface mass balance of an avalanche-fed glacier Marin Kneib, Amaury Dehecq, Adrien Gilbert, Auguste Basset, Evan S. Miles, Guillaume Jouvet, Bruno Jourdain, Etienne Ducasse, Luc Beraud, Antoine Rabatel, Jérémie Mouginot, Guillem Carcanade, Olivier Laarman, Fanny Brun, and Delphine Six The Cryosphere, 18, 5965–5983, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5965-2024, 2024 Avalanches contribute to increasing the accumulation on mountain glaciers by redistributing snow from surrounding mountains slopes. Here we quantified the contribution of avalanches to the mass balance of Argentière Glacier in the French Alps, by combining satellite and field observations to model the glacier dynamics. We show that the contribution of avalanches locally increases the accumulation by 60–70 % and that accounting for this effect results in less ice loss by the end of the century.

Characterizing ground ice content and origin to better understand the seasonal surface dynamics of the Gruben rock glacier and the adjacent Gruben debris-covered glacier (southern Swiss Alps)

Characterizing ground ice content and origin to better understand the seasonal surface dynamics of the Gruben rock glacier and the adjacent Gruben debris-covered glacier (southern Swiss Alps) Julie Wee, Sebastián Vivero, Tamara Mathys, Coline Mollaret, Christian Hauck, Christophe Lambiel, Jan Beutel, and Wilfried Haeberli The Cryosphere, 18, 5939–5963, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5939-2024, 2024 This study highlights the importance of a multi-method and multi-disciplinary approach to better understand the influence of the internal structure of the Gruben glacier-forefield-connected rock glacier and adjacent debris-covered glacier on their driving thermo-mechanical processes and associated surface dynamics. We were able to discriminate glacial from periglacial processes as their spatio-temporal patterns of surface dynamics and geophysical signatures are (mostly) different.

Trouble in Arctic town as polar bears and people face warming world

Climate change makes it trickier for Churchill's residents to co-exist with increasingly hungry predators

Polar diatoms fade in the twilight zone

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 18 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01620-0

Sea ice is shrinking during Antarctic winter: here’s what it means for Earth’s oceans and atmosphere

Nature, Published online: 18 December 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-04078-7

Record-low Antarctic sea ice in 2023 increased ocean heat loss and storms

Nature, Published online: 18 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08368-y

Building concrete on Mars from local materials

Imagine you've just gotten to Mars as part of the first contingent of settlers. Your first challenge: build a long-term habitat using local materials. Those might include water from the polar caps mixed with specific surface soils. They might even require some very personal contributions—your blood, sweat, and tears. Using such in situ materials is the challenge a team of Iranian engineers studied in a research project looking at local materials on Mars.

Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson released from jail in Greenland

Danish authorities reject a Japanese bid to extradite the campaigner because of his time spent in detention.

Refining lake volume estimation and critical depth identification for enhanced glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) event anticipation

Refining lake volume estimation and critical depth identification for enhanced glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) event anticipation Nazir Ahmed Bazai, Paul A. Carling, Peng Cui, Wang Hao, Zhang Guotao, Liu Dingzhu, and Javed Hassan The Cryosphere, 18, 5921–5938, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5921-2024, 2024 We explored the growing threat of glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) driven by glacier surges in the Karakoram. Using advanced remote sensing and field data, we identified key lake volumes and depths that indicate potential GLOFs. Our findings improve early warning systems by providing rapid methods to assess lake volumes in remote areas. This research seeks to protect vulnerable communities and contribute to global efforts in predicting and mitigating catastrophic flood risks.

Brief communication: Accurate and autonomous snow water equivalent measurements using a cosmic ray sensor on a Himalayan glacier

Brief communication: Accurate and autonomous snow water equivalent measurements using a cosmic ray sensor on a Himalayan glacier Navaraj Pokhrel, Patrick Wagnon, Fanny Brun, Arbindra Khadka, Tom Matthews, Audrey Goutard, Dibas Shrestha, Baker Perry, and Marion Réveillet The Cryosphere, 18, 5913–5920, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5913-2024, 2024 We studied snow processes in the accumulation area of Mera Glacier (central Himalaya, Nepal) by deploying a cosmic ray counting sensor that allows one to track the evolution of snow water equivalent. We suspect significant surface melting, water percolation, and refreezing within the snowpack, which might be missed by traditional mass balance surveys.

New study says we're unlikely to find liquid water on Mars anytime soon

More than a hundred years ago, astronomer Percival Lowell made the case for the existence of canals on Mars designed to redistribute water from the Martian ice caps to its lower, drier latitudes. This necessarily meant the existence of Martians to build the canals.

A fast and simplified subglacial hydrological model for the Antarctic Ice Sheet and outlet glaciers

A fast and simplified subglacial hydrological model for the Antarctic Ice Sheet and outlet glaciers Elise Kazmierczak, Thomas Gregov, Violaine Coulon, and Frank Pattyn The Cryosphere, 18, 5887–5911, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5887-2024, 2024 We introduce a new fast model for water flow beneath the ice sheet capable of handling various hydrological and bed conditions in a unified way. Applying this model to Thwaites Glacier, we show that accounting for this water flow in ice sheet model projections has the potential to greatly increase the contribution to future sea level rise.  We also demonstrate that the sensitivity of the ice sheet in response to external changes depends on the efficiency of the drainage and the bed type.

I track changes in the Arctic Ocean to help manage its future

Nature, Published online: 16 December 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-04120-8

World's biggest iceberg heads north after escaping vortex

The world's biggest iceberg is drifting towards the Atlantic Ocean after being stuck near Antarctica.

Buried landforms reveal North Sea's ancient glacial past

Glaciologists used sound waves to reveal Ice Age landforms buried beneath almost 1 km of mud in the North Sea. The results suggest that the landforms were produced about 1 million years ago, when an ice sheet centered over Norway extended towards the British Isles.

Earth from Space: Jakobshavn Glacier, Greenland

Image: These summer images from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 missions showcase different satellite views of Greenland’s west coast.

Future permafrost degradation under climate change in a headwater catchment of central Siberia: quantitative assessment with a mechanistic modelling approach

Future permafrost degradation under climate change in a headwater catchment of central Siberia: quantitative assessment with a mechanistic modelling approach Thibault Xavier, Laurent Orgogozo, Anatoly S. Prokushkin, Esteban Alonso-González, Simon Gascoin, and Oleg S. Pokrovsky The Cryosphere, 18, 5865–5885, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5865-2024, 2024 Permafrost (permanently frozen soil at depth) is thawing as a result of climate change. However, estimating its future degradation is particularly challenging due to the complex multi-physical processes involved. In this work, we designed and ran numerical simulations for months on a supercomputer to quantify the impact of climate change in a forested valley of central Siberia. There, climate change could increase the thickness of the seasonally thawed soil layer in summer by up to 65 % by 2100.

Projections of precipitation and temperatures in Greenland and the impact of spatially uniform anomalies on the evolution of the ice sheet

Projections of precipitation and temperatures in Greenland and the impact of spatially uniform anomalies on the evolution of the ice sheet Nils Bochow, Anna Poltronieri, and Niklas Boers The Cryosphere, 18, 5825–5863, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5825-2024, 2024 Using the latest climate models, we update the understanding of how the Greenland ice sheet responds to climate changes. We found that precipitation and temperature changes in Greenland vary across different regions. Our findings suggest that using uniform estimates for temperature and precipitation for modelling the response of the ice sheet can overestimate ice loss in Greenland. Therefore, this study highlights the need for spatially resolved data in predicting the ice sheet's future.

NASA scientific balloon flights to lift off from Antarctica

NASA's Scientific Balloon Program has returned to Antarctica's icy expanse to kick off the annual Antarctic Long-Duration Balloon Campaign, where two balloon flights will carry a total of nine missions to near space. Launch operations will begin mid-December from the agency's Long Duration Balloon camp located near the U.S. National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf.

Seasonal snow cover indicators in coastal Greenland from in situ observations, a climate model, and reanalysis

Seasonal snow cover indicators in coastal Greenland from in situ observations, a climate model, and reanalysis Jorrit van der Schot, Jakob Abermann, Tiago Silva, Kerstin Rasmussen, Michael Winkler, Kirsty Langley, and Wolfgang Schöner The Cryosphere, 18, 5803–5823, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5803-2024, 2024 We present snow data from nine locations in coastal Greenland. We show that a reanalysis product (CARRA) simulates seasonal snow characteristics better than a regional climate model (RACMO). CARRA output matches particularly well with our reference dataset when we look at the maximum snow water equivalent and the snow cover end date. We show that seasonal snow in coastal Greenland has large spatial and temporal variability and find little evidence of trends in snow cover characteristics.

Quantifying the buttressing contribution of landfast sea ice and melange to Crane Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula

Quantifying the buttressing contribution of landfast sea ice and melange to Crane Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula Richard Parsons, Sainan Sun, G. Hilmar Gudmundsson, Jan Wuite, and Thomas Nagler The Cryosphere, 18, 5789–5801, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5789-2024, 2024 In 2022, multi-year landfast sea ice in Antarctica's Larsen B embayment disintegrated, after which time an increase in the rate at which Crane Glacier discharged ice into the ocean was observed. As the fast ice was joined to the glacier terminus, it could provide resistance against the glacier's flow, slowing down the rate of ice discharge. We used numerical modelling to quantify this resistive stress and found that the fast ice provided significant support to Crane prior to its disintegration.

Dual-frequency radar observations of snowmelt processes on Antarctic perennial sea ice by CFOSCAT and ASCAT

Dual-frequency radar observations of snowmelt processes on Antarctic perennial sea ice by CFOSCAT and ASCAT Rui Xu, Chaofang Zhao, Stefanie Arndt, and Christian Haas The Cryosphere, 18, 5769–5788, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5769-2024, 2024 The onset of snowmelt on Antarctic sea ice is an important indicator of sea ice change. In this study, we used two radar scatterometers to detect the onset of snowmelt on perennial Antarctic sea ice. Results show that since 2007, snowmelt onset has demonstrated strong interannual and regional variabilities. We also found that the difference in snowmelt onsets between the two scatterometers is closely related to snow metamorphism.

Exploring how Sentinel-1 wet-snow maps can inform fully distributed physically based snowpack models

Exploring how Sentinel-1 wet-snow maps can inform fully distributed physically based snowpack models Bertrand Cluzet, Jan Magnusson, Louis Quéno, Giulia Mazzotti, Rebecca Mott, and Tobias Jonas The Cryosphere, 18, 5753–5767, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5753-2024, 2024 We use novel wet-snow maps from Sentinel-1 to evaluate simulations of a snow-hydrological model over Switzerland. These data are complementary to available in situ snow depth observations as they capture a broad diversity of topographic conditions. Wet-snow maps allow us to detect a delayed melt onset in the model, which we resolve thanks to an improved parametrization. This paves the way to further evaluation, calibration, and data assimilation using wet-snow maps.

Enigmatic Alpine avalanches to get a boost as Earth warms

Nature, Published online: 11 December 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-04009-6

Seals strategically scoot around the seas on icebergs

Harbor seals in icy regions use icebergs shed by glaciers as safe platforms to give birth, care for young and molt. New research finds that as glaciers change with the climate, the resulting changes in size, speed and number of icebergs affect seals' critical frozen habitat. Mother seals prefer stable, slower-moving bergs for giving birth and caring for newborn pups, while in the molting season, they and the rest of the seal population favor speedier ice near the best foraging grounds.

Bighorn sheep face death by avalanche in Sierra Nevada range

Snow cover in the Sierra Nevada is expected to shrink overall as the climate warms, but avalanche frequency could remain the same or even increase at high elevations. That's bad news for bighorn sheep that live there, according to new research.

Antarctica's irregular heartbeat shows signs of rapid melting

Geoscientists have created a new climate record for early Antarctic ice ages. It reveals that the early Antarctic ice sheet melted more rapidly than previously thought.

Arctic Tundra Has Long Helped Cool Earth. Now, It’s Fueling Warming.

Wildfires and thawing permafrost are causing the region to release more carbon dioxide than its plants remove, probably for the first time in thousands of years.

Arctic tundra now emits planet-warming pollution, federal report finds

Arctic tundra is releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as hotter temperatures melt frozen ground and wildfires increase.

The macronutrient and micronutrient (iron and manganese) content of icebergs

The macronutrient and micronutrient (iron and manganese) content of icebergs Jana Krause, Dustin Carroll, Juan Höfer, Jeremy Donaire, Eric P. Achterberg, Emilio Alarcón, Te Liu, Lorenz Meire, Kechen Zhu, and Mark J. Hopwood The Cryosphere, 18, 5735–5752, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5735-2024, 2024 Here we analysed calved ice samples from both the Arctic and Antarctic to assess the variability in the composition of iceberg meltwater. Our results suggest that low concentrations of nitrate and phosphate in ice are primarily from the ice matrix, whereas sediment-rich layers impart a low concentration of silica and modest concentrations of iron and manganese. At a global scale, there are very limited differences in the nutrient composition of ice.

NASA's IXPE details shapes of structures at a newly discovered black hole

NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) has helped astronomers better understand the shapes of structures essential to a black hole—specifically, the disk of material swirling around it and the shifting plasma region called the corona.

Record-low Antarctic sea ice can be explained and forecast months out by patterns in winds

Researchers show that the all-time record low in winter sea ice extent in 2023 can be explained by warm Southern Ocean conditions and patterns in the winds that circled Antarctica months earlier, allowing forecasts for sea ice coverage around the South Pole to be generated six or more months in advance. This could support regional and global weather and climate models.

'This was preventable’: Corporate world shudders at new risks after slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Threats against corporations have been rising for years, fueled in part by the echo chamber of social media and an increasingly polarized political environment.

Desert ants use the polarity of the geomagnetic field for navigation

Desert ants of the Cataglyphis nodus species use the Earth's magnetic field for spatial orientation, but rely on a different component of the field than other insects. The survey suggests that the ants also use a different mechanism for magnetoreception than most insects studied to date, including the famous monarch butterflies. The researchers suspect that magnetoreception in desert ants is based on a mechanism involving tiny particles of the iron oxide mineral magnetite or other magnetic particles.

Spring-water temperature suggests widespread occurrence of Alpine permafrost in pseudo-relict rock glaciers

Spring-water temperature suggests widespread occurrence of Alpine permafrost in pseudo-relict rock glaciers Luca Carturan, Giulia Zuecco, Angela Andreotti, Jacopo Boaga, Costanza Morino, Mirko Pavoni, Roberto Seppi, Monica Tolotti, Thomas Zanoner, and Matteo Zumiani The Cryosphere, 18, 5713–5733, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5713-2024, 2024 Pseudo-relict rock glaciers look relict but contain patches of permafrost. They are poorly known in terms of permafrost content, spatial distribution and frequency. Here we use spring-water temperature for a preliminary estimate of the permafrost presence in rock glaciers of a 795 km2 catchment in the Italian Alps. The results show that ~50 % of rock glaciers classified as relict might be pseudo-relict and might contain ~20 % of the ice stored in the rock glaciers in the study area.

Multi-physics ensemble modelling of Arctic tundra snowpack properties

Multi-physics ensemble modelling of Arctic tundra snowpack properties Georgina J. Woolley, Nick Rutter, Leanne Wake, Vincent Vionnet, Chris Derksen, Richard Essery, Philip Marsh, Rosamond Tutton, Branden Walker, Matthieu Lafaysse, and David Pritchard The Cryosphere, 18, 5685–5711, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5685-2024, 2024 Parameterisations of Arctic snow processes were implemented into the multi-physics ensemble version of the snow model Crocus (embedded within the Soil, Vegetation, and Snow version 2 land surface model) and evaluated at an Arctic tundra site. Optimal combinations of parameterisations that improved the simulation of density and specific surface area featured modifications that raise wind speeds to increase compaction in surface layers, prevent snowdrift, and increase viscosity in basal layers.

Saving ‘old and wise’ animals vital for species’ survival, say scientists

Hunting bigger, more experienced animals eradicates memories and knowledge crucial to group survival, research suggests

It’s not just humans who get wiser as they age – animals do too, according to a growing body of research. The bigmouth buffalo fish can reach 127 years old, the Greenland shark 392, and some sponges can live for 10,000 years or more. And age is not just a number: as animals get older they behave differently depending on their life experiences, gain richer knowledge of their environment, and often pass it on to younger members of their group, researchers say.

The problem is, we are killing off these older creatures. “Earth’s old animals are in decline,” researchers warned in a paper published in Science last month, which analysed more than 9,000 peer-reviewed papers. Few animals make it to old age, and the ones that do are vulnerable to being hunted or harvested by humans, because they are the biggest or have, for example, the largest antlers, horns or tusks.

Earth from Space: First seasonal snow

Image: This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 21 November 2024 captures the first snow of the season over Denmark and southern Sweden.

Impacts of differing melt regimes on satellite radar waveforms and elevation retrievals

Impacts of differing melt regimes on satellite radar waveforms and elevation retrievals Alexander C. Ronan, Robert L. Hawley, and Jonathan W. Chipman The Cryosphere, 18, 5673–5683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5673-2024, 2024 We generate a 2010–2021 time series of CryoSat-2 waveform shape metrics on the Greenland Ice Sheet, and we compare it to CryoSat-2 elevation data to investigate the reliability of two algorithms used to derive elevations from the SIRAL radar altimeter. Retracked elevations are found to depend on a waveform's leading-edge width in the dry-snow zone. The study indicates that retracking algorithms must consider significant climate events and snow conditions when assessing elevation change.

Rapid surge in global warming mainly due to reduced planetary albedo

Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, heatwaves at sea -- 2023 set a number of alarming new records. The global mean temperature also rose to nearly 1.5 degrees above the preindustrial level, another record. Seeking to identify the causes of this sudden rise has proven a challenge for researchers. After all, factoring in the effects of anthropogenic influences like the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, of the weather phenomenon El Nino, and of natural events like volcanic eruptions, can account for a major portion of the warming. But doing so still leaves a gap of roughly 0.2 degrees Celsius, which has never been satisfactorily explained. A team puts forward a possible explanation for the rise in global mean temperature: our planet has become less reflective because certain types of clouds have declined.

Canada man jumps on polar bear to defend wife from attack

The man suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries during the incident in the country's far north.

Reanalysis of the longest mass balance series in Himalaya using a nonlinear model: Chhota Shigri Glacier (India)

Reanalysis of the longest mass balance series in Himalaya using a nonlinear model: Chhota Shigri Glacier (India) Mohd Farooq Azam, Christian Vincent, Smriti Srivastava, Etienne Berthier, Patrick Wagnon, Himanshu Kaushik, Md. Arif Hussain, Manoj Kumar Munda, Arindan Mandal, and Alagappan Ramanathan The Cryosphere, 18, 5653–5672, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5653-2024, 2024 Mass balance series on Chhota Shigri Glacier has been reanalysed by combining the traditional mass balance reanalysis framework and a nonlinear model. The nonlinear model is preferred over traditional glaciological methods to compute the mass balances, as the former can capture the spatiotemporal variability in point mass balances from a heterogeneous in situ point mass balance network. The nonlinear model outperforms the traditional method and agrees better with the geodetic estimates.

Brief communication: New perspectives on the skill of modelled sea ice trends in light of recent Antarctic sea ice loss

Brief communication: New perspectives on the skill of modelled sea ice trends in light of recent Antarctic sea ice loss Caroline R. Holmes, Thomas J. Bracegirdle, Paul R. Holland, Julienne Stroeve, and Jeremy Wilkinson The Cryosphere, 18, 5641–5652, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5641-2024, 2024 Until recently, satellite data showed an increase in Antarctic sea ice area since 1979, but climate models simulated a decrease over this period. This mismatch was one reason for low confidence in model projections of 21st-century sea ice loss. We show that following low Antarctic sea ice in 2022 and 2023, we can no longer conclude that modelled and observed trends differ. However, differences in the manner of the decline mean that model sea ice projections should still be viewed with caution.

Brief communication: RADIX (Rapid Access Drilling and Ice eXtraction) dust logger test in the EastGRIP (East Greenland Ice-core Project) hole

Brief communication: RADIX (Rapid Access Drilling and Ice eXtraction) dust logger test in the EastGRIP (East Greenland Ice-core Project) hole Jakob Schwander, Thomas F. Stocker, Remo Walther, Samuel Marending, Tobias Erhardt, Chantal Zeppenfeld, and Jürg Jost The Cryosphere, 18, 5613–5617, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5613-2024, 2024 The RADIX (Rapid Access Drilling and Ice eXtraction) optical dust logger is part of the exploratory 20 mm drilling system at the University of Bern and is inserted into the hole after drilling. Temperature and attitude sensors were successfully tested but not the dust sensor, as no RADIX hole reached the required bubble-free ice. In 2023, we tested the logger with an adapter for the deep borehole of the East Greenland Ice-core Project and obtained a good Late Glacial–Early Holocene dust record.

Use of multiple reference data sources to cross-validate gridded snow water equivalent products over North America

Use of multiple reference data sources to cross-validate gridded snow water equivalent products over North America Colleen Mortimer, Lawrence Mudryk, Eunsang Cho, Chris Derksen, Mike Brady, and Carrie Vuyovich The Cryosphere, 18, 5619–5639, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5619-2024, 2024 Ground measurements of snow water equivalent (SWE) are vital for understanding the accuracy of large-scale estimates from satellites and climate models. We compare two types of measurements – snow courses and airborne gamma SWE estimates – and analyze how measurement type impacts the accuracy assessment of gridded SWE products. We use this analysis to produce a combined reference SWE dataset for North America, applicable for future gridded SWE product evaluations and other applications.

Swelling streams -- climate change causes more sediment in high-mountain rivers

Many high-mountain rivers in Asia transport more sediment downstream compared to a few years ago. Changes in sediment levels have a particularly strong impact on agriculture, water quality, flood management, and hydropower generation. A study demonstrates the interacting roles of glaciers, vegetation, precipitation, and slope in mobilizing sediment and controlling the current sediment transport in rivers. In order to counteract climate change, the authors call for a systematic approach for the entire catchment area of rivers in the high mountains.

Could melting ice wake up Antarctica’s volcanoes?

Researchers probe immediate and long-term threats at two of continent’s biggest magmatic tinderboxes

Alaska's changing environment

The University of Alaska Fairbanks released a new report this week highlighting environmental changes and extremes that impact Alaskans and their livelihoods. 'Alaska's Changing Environment' provides people with timely, reliable and understandable information on topics ranging from temperature and precipitation changes to salmon and polar bears.

Countdown to an ice-free Arctic: New research warns of accelerated timelines

Scientists demonstrate how a series of extreme weather events could lead to the Arctic's first ice-free day within just a few years.

Linking glacier retreat with climate change on the Tibetan Plateau through satellite remote sensing

Linking glacier retreat with climate change on the Tibetan Plateau through satellite remote sensing Fumeng Zhao, Wenping Gong, Silvia Bianchini, and Zhongkang Yang The Cryosphere, 18, 5595–5612, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5595-2024, 2024 Glacier retreat patterns and climatic drivers on the Tibetan Plateau are uncertain at finer resolutions. This study introduces a new glacier-mapping method covering 1988 to 2022, using downscaled air temperature and precipitation data. It quantifies the impacts of annual and seasonal temperature and precipitation on retreat. Results show rapid and varied retreat: annual temperature and spring precipitation influence retreat in the west and northwest, respectively.

The influence of firn layer material properties on surface crevasse propagation in glaciers and ice shelves

The influence of firn layer material properties on surface crevasse propagation in glaciers and ice shelves Theo Clayton, Ravindra Duddu, Tim Hageman, and Emilio Martínez-Pañeda The Cryosphere, 18, 5573–5593, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5573-2024, 2024 We develop and validate new analytical solutions that quantitatively consider how the properties of ice vary along the depth of ice shelves and that can be readily used in existing ice sheet models. Depth-varying firn properties are found to have a profound impact on ice sheet fracture and calving events. Our results show that grounded glaciers are less vulnerable than previously anticipated, while floating ice shelves are significantly more vulnerable to fracture and calving.

Ice-shelf disintegration in East Antarctica

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 03 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01607-x

Multi-decadal collapse of East Antarctica’s Conger–Glenzer Ice Shelf

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 03 December 2024; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01582-3

Norway hits pause on controversial deep-sea mining plans

Norway has shelved plans to open a vast ocean area at the bottom of the Arctic for commercial-scale deep-sea mining.

Norway suspends controversial deep-sea mining plan

Oslo's plan to open up its Arctic seabed for mining prompted stark environmental opposition.

Top Wall Street analysts pick 3 stocks for their attractive prospects

TipRanks' analyst ranking service pinpoints Wall Street's best-performing stocks, including ServiceNow and Snowflake.

I interviewed 70 parents who raised highly successful adults—their top 4 regrets: 'I shouldn’t have fixed things for them'

"Raising an Entrepreneur" author Margot Machol Bisnow, who interviewed 70 parents who raised successful adults, reveals what they would have done differently.

The Pléiades Glacier Observatory: high-resolution digital elevation models and ortho-imagery to monitor glacier change

The Pléiades Glacier Observatory: high-resolution digital elevation models and ortho-imagery to monitor glacier change Etienne Berthier, Jérôme Lebreton, Delphine Fontannaz, Steven Hosford, Joaquín Muñoz-Cobo Belart, Fanny Brun, Liss M. Andreassen, Brian Menounos, and Charlotte Blondel The Cryosphere, 18, 5551–5571, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5551-2024, 2024 Repeat elevation measurements are crucial for monitoring glacier health and to understand how glaciers affect river flows and sea level. Until recently, high-resolution elevation data were mostly available for polar regions and High Mountain Asia. Our project, the Pléiades Glacier Observatory, now provides high-resolution topographies of 140 glacier sites worldwide. This is a novel and open dataset to monitor the impact of climate change on glaciers at high resolution and accuracy.

The future of Upernavik Isstrøm through the ISMIP6 framework: sensitivity analysis and Bayesian calibration of ensemble prediction

The future of Upernavik Isstrøm through the ISMIP6 framework: sensitivity analysis and Bayesian calibration of ensemble prediction Eliot Jager, Fabien Gillet-Chaulet, Nicolas Champollion, Romain Millan, Heiko Goelzer, and Jérémie Mouginot The Cryosphere, 18, 5519–5550, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5519-2024, 2024 Inspired by a previous intercomparison framework, our study better constrains uncertainties in glacier evolution using an innovative method to validate Bayesian calibration. Upernavik Isstrøm, one of Greenland's largest glaciers, has lost significant mass since 1985. By integrating observational data, climate models, human emissions, and internal model parameters, we project its evolution until 2100. We show that future human emissions are the main source of uncertainty in 2100, making up half.

Inefficient transfer of diatoms through the subpolar Southern Ocean twilight zone

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 28 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01602-2

The melting of Greenland: A climate challenge with major implications for the 21st century

The melting of Greenland is accelerating, with an estimated loss of between 964 and 1735 gigatons of ice per year by 2100 in a scenario of high greenhouse gas emissions (SSP585), according to three regional climate models. This melting will lead to a rise in sea levels of up to one meter, threatening millions of people in coastal areas.

'Arctic outbreak' for parts of US as millions travel for Thanksgiving

Temperatures could plummet to -40C in the northern Plains and Upper Midwest during a busy period for travel.

Seoul blanketed by heaviest November snow on record

At least one person is reported to have died as a result of the weather, which has also grounded flights.

Impact of climate change on snow avalanche activity in the Swiss Alps

Impact of climate change on snow avalanche activity in the Swiss Alps Stephanie Mayer, Martin Hendrick, Adrien Michel, Bettina Richter, Jürg Schweizer, Heini Wernli, and Alec van Herwijnen The Cryosphere, 18, 5495–5517, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5495-2024, 2024 Understanding the impact of climate change on snow avalanche activity is crucial for safeguarding lives and infrastructure. Here, we project changes in avalanche activity in the Swiss Alps throughout the 21st century. Our findings reveal elevation-dependent patterns of change, indicating a decrease in dry-snow avalanches alongside an increase in wet-snow avalanches at elevations above the current treeline. These results underscore the necessity to revisit measures for avalanche risk mitigation.

Accumulation by avalanches as a significant contributor to the mass balance of a peripheral glacier of Greenland

Accumulation by avalanches as a significant contributor to the mass balance of a peripheral glacier of Greenland Bernhard Hynek, Daniel Binder, Michele Citterio, Signe Hillerup Larsen, Jakob Abermann, Geert Verhoeven, Elke Ludewig, and Wolfgang Schöner The Cryosphere, 18, 5481–5494, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5481-2024, 2024 An avalanche event in February 2018 caused thick snow deposits on Freya Glacier, a peripheral mountain glacier in northeastern Greenland. The avalanche deposits contributed significantly to the mass balance, leaving a strong imprint in the elevation changes in 2013–2021. The 8-year geodetic mass balance (2013–2021) of the glacier is positive, whereas previous estimates by direct measurements were negative and now turned out to have a negative bias. 

Unexplained heat-wave 'hotspots' are popping up across the globe

A striking new phenomenon is emerging: distinct regions are seeing repeated heat waves that are so extreme, they fall far beyond what any model of global warming can predict or explain. A new study provides the first worldwide map of such regions, which show up on every continent except Antarctica like giant, angry skin blotches.

Researchers show complex relationship between Arctic warming and Arctic dust

A study found that dust from snow- and ice-free areas of the Arctic could be an important contributor to climate change in the region. Higher levels of dust help promote the formation of ice crystals in the clouds, which weakens the efficiency of clouds to contain more liquid droplets and fewer ice crystals by Arctic warming.

Delay and pay: Climate tipping point costs quadruple after waiting

The cost of reversing the effects of climate change -- restoring melted polar sea ice, for example -- quickly climbs nearly fourfold soon after a tipping point is crossed, according to new work. Much work has been done to explore the environmental costs tied to climate change. But this new study marks the first time researchers have quantified the costs of controlling tipping points before and after they unfold.

Under-ice species at risk as Arctic warms

'Specialist' lifeforms that live under Arctic sea ice are at risk as the ice retreats, new research shows.

CPOM in Iceland: Drones study ice and proglacial lakes on the frontline of climate change

A team from the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM) recently spent six days surveying glaciers and proglacial lakes in Iceland. Although there were a lot of early mornings, harsh weather and unexpected challenges, they had a fantastic time, gathered some excellent data and got to see the [...]

Daily briefing: NASA finds secret ice base in Greenland

Nature, Published online: 26 November 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03887-0

Modeling saline-fluid flow through subglacial channels

Modeling saline-fluid flow through subglacial channels Amy Jenson, Mark Skidmore, Lucas Beem, Martin Truffer, and Scott McCalla The Cryosphere, 18, 5451–5464, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5451-2024, 2024 Water in some glacier environments contains salt, which increases its density and lowers its freezing point, allowing saline water to exist where freshwater cannot. Previous subglacial hydrology models do not consider saline fluid. We model the flow of saline fluid from a subglacial lake through a circular channel at the glacier bed, finding that higher salinities lead to less melting at the channel walls and lower discharge rates. We also observe the impact of increased fluid density on flow.   

Assessing supraglacial lake depth using ICESat-2, Sentinel-2, TanDEM-X, and in situ sonar measurements over Northeast and Southwest Greenland

Assessing supraglacial lake depth using ICESat-2, Sentinel-2, TanDEM-X, and in situ sonar measurements over Northeast and Southwest Greenland Katrina Lutz, Lily Bever, Christian Sommer, Thorsten Seehaus, Angelika Humbert, Mirko Scheinert, and Matthias Braun The Cryosphere, 18, 5431–5449, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5431-2024, 2024 The estimation of the amount of water found within supraglacial lakes is important for understanding how much water is lost from glaciers each year. Here, we develop two new methods for estimating supraglacial lake volume that can be easily applied on a large scale. Furthermore, we compare these methods to two previously developed methods in order to determine when it is best to use each method. Finally, three of these methods are applied to peak melt dates over an area in Northeast Greenland.

Evaluating snow depth retrievals from Sentinel-1 volume scattering over NASA SnowEx sites

Evaluating snow depth retrievals from Sentinel-1 volume scattering over NASA SnowEx sites Zachary Hoppinen, Ross T. Palomaki, George Brencher, Devon Dunmire, Eric Gagliano, Adrian Marziliano, Jack Tarricone, and Hans-Peter Marshall The Cryosphere, 18, 5407–5430, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5407-2024, 2024 This study uses radar imagery from the Sentinel-1 satellite to derive snow depth from increases in the returning energy. These retrieved depths are then compared to nine lidar-derived snow depths across the western United State to assess the ability of this technique to be used to monitor global snow distributions. We also qualitatively compare the changes in underlying Sentinel-1 amplitudes against both the total lidar snow depths and nine automated snow monitoring stations.

Atmospheric river dumps snow and record rain on California

The weather event has multiplied damages from the 'bomb cyclone' seen in the US north-west earlier this week.

In Patagonia, more snow could protect glaciers from melt -- but only if we curb greenhouse gas emissions soon

In an era of dwindling glaciers, Southern Patagonia has managed to hold on to a surprising amount of its ice. But, a new study suggests that this protective effect might be pushed up against its limits soon.

Antarctica’s first known amber whispers of a vanished rainforest

Nature, Published online: 22 November 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03803-6

Copernicus Sentinel-1: radar vision for Copernicus

Video: 00:07:25

Meet Copernicus Sentinel-1 – this ground-breaking mission delivers continuous, all-weather, day-and-night imaging for land, ice and maritime monitoring. 

Equipped with state-of-the-art C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), Sentinel-1 captures high-resolution data around the clock, in any weather, making it indispensable for detecting the subtle changes on Earth’s surface that remain hidden from the human eye.

Sentinel-1 data serves a multitude of critical applications: from ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic, tracking sea ice and icebergs, to monitoring structural integrity and natural hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity. 

Its enhanced radar technology provides precises precise information on ground movement, which is critical for urban planning, infrastructure resilience, subsidence risk assessment and geohazard monitoring. 

Through consistent, long-term data collection, Sentinel-1 serves as a global asset, essential for environmental and safety monitoring worldwide. The mission is a beacon of innovation, advancing our understanding of our planet’s dynamic landscape.

This video features interviews with Mark Drinkwater, Head of Mission Sciences Division at ESA, Ramon Torres Cuesta, Sentinel-1 Project Manager at ESA and Julia Kubanek, Sentinel-1 Mission Scientist at ESA.

Hear me out: RFK could be a transformational health secretary | Neil Barsky

RFK Jr has articulated what our Democratic and Republican leaders have largely ignored: our healthcare system is a national disgrace hiding in plain sight

Among the cast of characters poised to join the Trump administration, no one is as exasperating, polarizing or potentially dangerous as Robert F Kennedy Jr. But in a twist that is emblematic of our times, no single nominee has the potential to do as much good for the American people.

Bear with me. RFK Jr has been rightly pilloried for promoting a litany of theories linking vaccines with autism, chemicals in the water supply to gender identity, how people contract Aids and saying the Covid-19 vaccine, which in fact stemmed the deadliest pandemic of our lifetimes, was itself “the deadliest vaccine ever made”. He claimed Covid-19 was meant to target certain ethnic groups, Black people and Caucasians, while sparing Asians and Jewish people.

Unravelling the sources of uncertainty in glacier runoff projections in the Patagonian Andes (40–56° S)

Unravelling the sources of uncertainty in glacier runoff projections in the Patagonian Andes (40–56° S) Rodrigo Aguayo, Fabien Maussion, Lilian Schuster, Marius Schaefer, Alexis Caro, Patrick Schmitt, Jonathan Mackay, Lizz Ultee, Jorge Leon-Muñoz, and Mauricio Aguayo The Cryosphere, 18, 5383–5406, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5383-2024, 2024 Predicting how much water will come from glaciers in the future is a complex task, and there are many factors that make it uncertain. Using a glacier model, we explored 1920 scenarios for each glacier in the Patagonian Andes. We found that the choice of the historical climate data was the most important factor, while other factors such as different data sources, climate models and emission scenarios played a smaller role.

Bounded and categorized: targeting data assimilation for sea ice fractional coverage and nonnegative quantities in a single-column multi-category sea ice model

Bounded and categorized: targeting data assimilation for sea ice fractional coverage and nonnegative quantities in a single-column multi-category sea ice model Molly M. Wieringa, Christopher Riedel, Jeffrey L. Anderson, and Cecilia M. Bitz The Cryosphere, 18, 5365–5382, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5365-2024, 2024 Statistically combining models and observations with data assimilation (DA) can improve sea ice forecasts but must address several challenges, including irregularity in ice thickness and coverage over the ocean. Using a sea ice column model, we show that novel, bounds-aware DA methods outperform traditional methods for sea ice. Additionally, thickness observations at sub-grid scales improve modeled ice estimates of both thick and thin ice, a finding relevant for forecasting applications.

Using deep learning and multi-source remote sensing images to map landlocked lakes in Antarctica

Using deep learning and multi-source remote sensing images to map landlocked lakes in Antarctica Anyao Jiang, Xin Meng, Yan Huang, and Guitao Shi The Cryosphere, 18, 5347–5364, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5347-2024, 2024 Landlocked lakes are crucial to the Antarctic ecosystem and sensitive to climate change. Limited research on their distribution prompted us to develop an automated detection process using deep learning and multi-source satellite imagery. This allowed us to accurately determine the landlocked lake open water (LLOW) area in Antarctica, generating high-resolution time series data. We find that the changes in positive and negative degree days predominantly drive variations in the LLOW area.

‘The land is tearing itself apart’: life on a collapsing Arctic isle

On Qikiqtaruk, off Canada, researchers at the frontier of climate change are seeing its rich ecology slide into the sea as the melting permafrost leaves little behind

Last summer, the western Arctic was uncomfortably hot. Smoke from Canada’s wildfires hung thick in the air, and swarms of mosquitoes searched for exposed skin. It was a maddening combination that left researchers on Qikiqtaruk, an island off the north coast of the Yukon, desperate for relief.

And so on a late July afternoon, a team of Canadian scientists dived into the Beaufort Sea, bobbing and splashing in a sheltered bay for nearly two hours. Later, as they lay sprawled on a beach, huge chunks of the island they were studying slid into the ocean.

Snowflake shares pop 19% on earnings and revenue beat

Snowflake reported better-than-expected results on the top and bottom lines.

Canada's first moon rover will soon have a name as it prepares to explore a hostile lunar region

The Canadian Space Agency announced a competition today to name Canada's first-ever rover mission to the moon. This unmanned mission will explore the south polar region of the moon to search for water ice and explore its unique geology.

Deadly bomb cyclone cuts power for thousands in US north-west

The storm is bringing damaging winds, snow and excessive rainfall that could lead to mudslides.

Plantwatch: Arctic microalgae perform photosynthesis in near darkness

Unlocking secrets of how the algae survive could help extend growing seasons for crop plants at high latitudes

Plants left for too long in the dark usually turn sickly yellow and die, but scientists were astonished to discover tiny microalgae in the Arctic Ocean down to 50 metres deep can perform photosynthesis in near darkness.

The microalgae were at 88-degrees north and started photosynthesising in late March, only a few days after the long winter polar night came to an end at this latitude. The sun was barely poking up above the horizon and the sea was still covered in snow and ice, barely allowing any light to pass through. Typical light conditions outside on a clear day in Europe are more than 37,000-50,000 times the amount of light required by these Arctic microalgae.

Arctic freshwater anomaly transiting to the North Atlantic delayed within a buffer zone

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 20 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01592-1

Trion sensing of a zero-field composite Fermi liquid

Nature, Published online: 20 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08134-0

Extending the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) atmospheric river scale to the polar regions

Extending the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) atmospheric river scale to the polar regions Zhenhai Zhang, F. Martin Ralph, Xun Zou, Brian Kawzenuk, Minghua Zheng, Irina V. Gorodetskaya, Penny M. Rowe, and David H. Bromwich The Cryosphere, 18, 5239–5258, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5239-2024, 2024 Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are long, narrow corridors of strong water vapor transport in the atmosphere. ARs play an important role in extreme weather in polar regions, including heavy rain and/or snow, heat waves, and surface melt. The standard AR scale is developed based on the midlatitude climate and is insufficient for polar regions. This paper introduces an extended version of the AR scale tuned to polar regions, aiming to quantify polar ARs objectively based on their strength and impact.

Pan-Arctic sea ice concentration from SAR and passive microwave

Pan-Arctic sea ice concentration from SAR and passive microwave Tore Wulf, Jørgen Buus-Hinkler, Suman Singha, Hoyeon Shi, and Matilde Brandt Kreiner The Cryosphere, 18, 5277–5300, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5277-2024, 2024 Here, we present ASIP: a new and comprehensive deep-learning-based methodology to retrieve high-resolution sea ice concentration with accompanying well-calibrated uncertainties from satellite-based active and passive microwave observations at a pan-Arctic scale for all seasons. In a comparative study against pan-Arctic ice charts and well-established passive-microwave-based sea ice products, we show that ASIP generalizes well to the pan-Arctic region.

Two-way coupling between ice flow and channelized subglacial drainage enhances modeled marine-ice-sheet retreat

Two-way coupling between ice flow and channelized subglacial drainage enhances modeled marine-ice-sheet retreat George Lu and Jonathan Kingslake The Cryosphere, 18, 5301–5321, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5301-2024, 2024 Water below ice sheets affects ice-sheet motion, while the evolution of ice sheets likewise affects the water below. We create a model that allows for water and ice to affect each other and use it to see how this coupling or lack thereof may impact ice-sheet retreat. We find that coupling an evolving water system with the ice sheet results in more retreat than if we assume unchanging conditions under the ice, which indicates a need to better represent the effects of water in ice-sheet models.

Land surface temperature trends derived from Landsat imagery in the Swiss Alps

Land surface temperature trends derived from Landsat imagery in the Swiss Alps Deniz Tobias Gök, Dirk Scherler, and Hendrik Wulf The Cryosphere, 18, 5259–5276, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5259-2024, 2024 We derived Landsat Collection 2 land surface temperature (LST) trends in the Swiss Alps using a harmonic model with a linear trend. Validation with LST data from 119 high-altitude weather stations yielded robust results, but Landsat LST trends are biased due to unstable acquisition times. The bias varies with topographic slope and aspect. We discuss its origin and propose a simple correction method in relation to modeled changes in shortwave radiation.

Unlocking the potential of melting calorimetry: a field protocol for liquid water content measurement in snow

Unlocking the potential of melting calorimetry: a field protocol for liquid water content measurement in snow Riccardo Barella, Mathias Bavay, Francesca Carletti, Nicola Ciapponi, Valentina Premier, and Carlo Marin The Cryosphere, 18, 5323–5345, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5323-2024, 2024 This research revisits a classic scientific technique, melting calorimetry, to measure snow liquid water content. This study shows with a novel uncertainty propagation framework that melting calorimetry, traditionally less trusted than freezing calorimetry, can produce accurate results. The study defines optimal experiment parameters and a robust field protocol. Melting calorimetry has the potential to become a valuable tool for validating other liquid water content measuring techniques.

Space for Shore: Sentinel-1 reveals Arctic glacier retreat

As Arctic temperatures rise, marine-terminating glaciers—especially in places like Svalbard—are undergoing rapid retreat and intensified calving.

The ESA-funded Space for Shore project utilises radar data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission to provide precise, year-over-year insights into glacier retreat and calving intensity, particularly in areas like Kongsfjorden, where notable glaciers are experiencing significant retreat.

Where Glaciers Melt, the Rivers Run Red

As the glaciers of South America retreat, the supply of freshwater is dwindling and its quality is getting worse.

Political shadows cast by the Antarctic curtain

The scientific debate around the installation of a massive underwater curtain to protect Antarctic ice sheets from melting lacks its vital political perspective. A research team argues that the serious questions around authority, sovereignty and security should be addressed proactively by the scientific community to avoid the protected seventh continent becoming the scene or object of international discord.

A Mummified Saber-Toothed Kitten Emerges in Siberia

The Homotherium cub was preserved in Siberian permafrost with its dark fur and flesh intact.

‘Arctic Niño’ might emerge in an ice-free world

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 18 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02175-z

When fire and ice meet

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 18 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02183-z

Scientists find a 35,000-year-old saber-toothed kitten in the Siberian permafrost

The kitten, which was found in Russia's northeastern Sakha Republic, still had fur and whiskers when it was discovered.

Melting glaciers leave homes teetering in valley of jagged mountains

Climate change is altering the landscape of Pakistan's mountain regions, and changing lives forever.

One or many? Exploring the population groups of the largest animal on Earth

Hunted nearly to extinction during 20th century whaling, the Antarctic blue whale, the world's largest animal, went from a population size of roughly 200,000 to little more than 300. The most recent estimate in 2004 put Antarctic blue whales at less than 1% of their pre-whaling levels. A new study shows that, though these whales feed in different ocean basins, they appear to be a single population, information that will help conservation efforts moving forward.

Twenty-first century global glacier evolution under CMIP6 scenarios and the role of glacier-specific observations

Twenty-first century global glacier evolution under CMIP6 scenarios and the role of glacier-specific observations Harry Zekollari, Matthias Huss, Lilian Schuster, Fabien Maussion, David R. Rounce, Rodrigo Aguayo, Nicolas Champollion, Loris Compagno, Romain Hugonnet, Ben Marzeion, Seyedhamidreza Mojtabavi, and Daniel Farinotti The Cryosphere, 18, 5045–5066, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5045-2024, 2024 Glaciers are major contributors to sea-level rise and act as key water resources. Here, we model the global evolution of glaciers under the latest generation of climate scenarios. We show that the type of observations used for model calibration can strongly affect the projections at the local scale. Our newly projected 21st century global mass loss is higher than the current community estimate as reported in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

A framework for automated supraglacial lake detection and depth retrieval in ICESat-2 photon data across the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets

A framework for automated supraglacial lake detection and depth retrieval in ICESat-2 photon data across the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets Philipp Sebastian Arndt and Helen Amanda Fricker The Cryosphere, 18, 5173–5206, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5173-2024, 2024 We develop a method for ice-sheet-scale retrieval of supraglacial meltwater depths using ICESat-2 photon data. We report results for two drainage basins in Greenland and Antarctica during two contrasting melt seasons, where our method reveals a total of 1249 lake segments up to 25 m deep. The large volume and wide variety of accurate depth data that our method provides enable the development of data-driven models of meltwater volumes in satellite imagery.

Probabilistic projections of the Amery Ice Shelf catchment, Antarctica, under conditions of high ice-shelf basal melt

Probabilistic projections of the Amery Ice Shelf catchment, Antarctica, under conditions of high ice-shelf basal melt Sanket Jantre, Matthew J. Hoffman, Nathan M. Urban, Trevor Hillebrand, Mauro Perego, Stephen Price, and John D. Jakeman The Cryosphere, 18, 5207–5238, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5207-2024, 2024 We investigate potential sea-level rise from Antarctica's Lambert Glacier, once considered stable but now at risk due to projected ocean warming by 2100. Using statistical methods and limited supercomputer simulations, we calibrated our ice-sheet model using three observables. We find that, under high greenhouse gas emissions, glacier retreat could raise sea levels by 46–133 mm by 2300. This study highlights the need for better observations to reduce uncertainty in ice-sheet model projections.

Earth from Space: Clouds or snow?

Image: These two images acquired by Copernicus Sentinel-2 highlight how the mission can help distinguish between clouds and snow.

Hiker discovers first trace of entire prehistoric ecosystem in Italian Alps

Melting snow and ice has revealed footprints of reptiles and amphibians, dating back 280 million years

A hiker in the northern Italian Alps has stumbled across the first trace of what scientists believe to be an entire prehistoric ecosystem, including the well-preserved footprints of reptiles and amphibians, brought to light by the melting of snow and ice induced by the climate crisis.

The discovery in the Valtellina Orobie mountain range in Lombardy dates back 280 million years to the Permian period, the age immediately prior to dinosaurs, scientists say.

Characterization of non-Gaussianity in the snow distributions of various landscapes

Characterization of non-Gaussianity in the snow distributions of various landscapes Noriaki Ohara, Andrew D. Parsekian, Benjamin M. Jones, Rodrigo C. Rangel, Kenneth M. Hinkel, and Rui A. P. Perdigão The Cryosphere, 18, 5139–5152, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5139-2024, 2024 Snow distribution characterization is essential for accurate snow water estimation for water resource prediction from existing in situ observations and remote-sensing data at a finite spatial resolution. Four different observed snow distribution datasets were analyzed for Gaussianity. We found that non-Gaussianity of snow distribution is a signature of the wind redistribution effect. Generally, seasonal snowpack can be approximated well by a Gaussian distribution for a fully snow-covered area.

Massive mobilization of toxic elements from an intact rock glacier in the central Eastern Alps

Massive mobilization of toxic elements from an intact rock glacier in the central Eastern Alps Hoda Moradi, Gerhard Furrer, Michael Margreth, David Mair, and Christoph Wanner The Cryosphere, 18, 5153–5171, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5153-2024, 2024 Detailed monitoring of a rock glacier spring in the Eastern Alps showed that more than 1 tonne of toxic solutes, such as aluminum, nickel, and manganese, is mobilized each year from a small permafrost area. The strong mobilization is caused by rock weathering and long-term accumulation of toxic solutes in permafrost ice. Today, climate-change-induced permafrost degradation leads to a quick and focused export in summer. This forms an unexpected, novel hazard for alpine and high-latitude areas.

Increasing aerosol emissions from boreal biomass burning exacerbate Arctic warming

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 14 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02176-y

Faster flowing glaciers could help predict nearby volcanic activity

Glaciers that are within three miles of a volcano move nearly 50% quicker than average, a new study has found, which could help create early warning of future eruptions.

Sensitivity of the future evolution of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin ice sheet to grounding-line melt parameterizations

Sensitivity of the future evolution of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin ice sheet to grounding-line melt parameterizations Yu Wang, Chen Zhao, Rupert Gladstone, Thomas Zwinger, Benjamin K. Galton-Fenzi, and Poul Christoffersen The Cryosphere, 18, 5117–5137, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5117-2024, 2024 Our research delves into the future evolution of Antarctica's Wilkes Subglacial Basin (WSB) and its potential contribution to sea level rise, focusing on how basal melt is implemented at the grounding line in ice flow models. Our findings suggest that these implementation methods can significantly impact the magnitude of future ice loss projections. Under a high-emission scenario, the WSB ice sheet could undergo massive and rapid retreat between 2200 and 2300.

In greening Arctic, caribou and muskoxen play key role

A new study highlights the importance of caribou and muskoxen to the greening Arctic tundra, linking grazing with plant phenology and abundance in the Arctic tundra.

First amber find on the Antarctic continent

Roughly 90 million years ago, climatic conditions in Antarctica were suitable for resin-producing trees. Researchers have now made the southernmost discovery of amber in the world.

Swirling polar vortices likely exist on the sun, new research finds

Like the Earth, the sun likely has swirling polar vortices, according to new research led by the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR). But unlike on Earth, the formation and evolution of these vortices are driven by magnetic fields.

Festival worker to become Antarctic postmaster

George Clarke will staff the most southerly post office in the world, living among a penguin colony.

Emergence of a climate oscillation in the Arctic Ocean due to global warming

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 11 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02171-3

A Warming Climate Continues to Ravage Sea Ice at Both Poles

Even as winter takes hold in the Arctic, sea ice there is growing sluggishly. In Antarctica, summer’s arrival has driven sea ice to near-record lows.

Measurements from 'lost' Seaglider offer new insights into Antarctic ice melting

New research reveals for the first time how a major Antarctic ice shelf has been subjected to increased melting by warming ocean waters over the last four decades. Scientists say the study -- the result of their autonomous Seaglider getting accidentally stuck underneath the Ross Ice Shelf -- suggests this will likely only increase further as climate change drives continued ocean warming.

Application of a regularised Coulomb sliding law to Jakobshavn Isbræ, western Greenland

Application of a regularised Coulomb sliding law to Jakobshavn Isbræ, western Greenland Matt Trevers, Antony J. Payne, and Stephen L. Cornford The Cryosphere, 18, 5101–5115, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5101-2024, 2024 The form of the friction law which determines the speed of ice sliding over the bedrock remains a major source of uncertainty in ice sheet model projections of future sea level rise. Jakobshavn Isbræ, the fastest-flowing glacier in Greenland, which has undergone significant changes in the last few decades, is an ideal case for testing sliding laws. We find that a regularised Coulomb friction law reproduces the large seasonal and inter-annual flow speed variations most accurately.

Modelling snowpack on ice surfaces with the ORCHIDEE land surface model: application to the Greenland ice sheet

Modelling snowpack on ice surfaces with the ORCHIDEE land surface model: application to the Greenland ice sheet Sylvie Charbit, Christophe Dumas, Fabienne Maignan, Catherine Ottlé, Nina Raoult, Xavier Fettweis, and Philippe Conesa The Cryosphere, 18, 5067–5099, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5067-2024, 2024 The evolution of the Greenland ice sheet is highly dependent on surface melting and therefore on the processes operating at the snow–atmosphere interface and within the snow cover. Here we present new developments to apply a snow model to the Greenland ice sheet. The performance of this model is analysed in terms of its ability to simulate ablation processes. Our analysis shows that the model performs well when compared with the MAR regional polar atmospheric model.

Microplastics impact cloud formation, likely affecting weather and climate

Scientists have spotted microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters, in some of the most pristine environments on Earth, from the depths of the Mariana Trench to the snow on Mt. Everest to the mountaintop clouds of China and Japan. Microplastics have been detected in human brains, the bellies of sea turtles and the roots of plants. Now, research reveals that microplastics in the atmosphere could be affecting weather and climate.

Snow returns to Mount Fuji

Image: Snow returns to Mount Fuji

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements for high-resolution chemical ice core analyses with a first application to an ice core from Skytrain Ice Rise (Antarctica)

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements for high-resolution chemical ice core analyses with a first application to an ice core from Skytrain Ice Rise (Antarctica) Helene Hoffmann, Jason Day, Rachael H. Rhodes, Mackenzie Grieman, Jack Humby, Isobel Rowell, Christoph Nehrbass-Ahles, Robert Mulvaney, Sally Gibson, and Eric Wolff The Cryosphere, 18, 4993–5013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4993-2024, 2024 Ice cores are archives of past atmospheric conditions. In deep and old ice, the layers containing this information get thinned to the millimetre scale or below. We installed a setup for high-resolution (182 μm) chemical impurity measurements in ice cores using the laser ablation technique at the University of Cambridge. In a first application to the Skytrain ice core from Antarctica, we discuss the potential to detect fine-layered structures in ice up to an age of 26 000 years.

Seasonal evolution of the sea ice floe size distribution in the Beaufort Sea from 2 decades of MODIS data

Seasonal evolution of the sea ice floe size distribution in the Beaufort Sea from 2 decades of MODIS data Ellen M. Buckley, Leela Cañuelas, Mary-Louise Timmermans, and Monica M. Wilhelmus The Cryosphere, 18, 5031–5043, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5031-2024, 2024 Arctic sea ice cover evolves seasonally from large plates separated by long, linear leads in the winter to a mosaic of smaller sea ice floes in the summer. Here, we present a new image segmentation algorithm applied to thousands of images and identify over 9 million individual pieces of ice. We observe the characteristics of the floes and how they evolve throughout the summer as the ice breaks up.

Thwaites Glacier thins and retreats fastest where ice-shelf channels intersect its grounding zone

Thwaites Glacier thins and retreats fastest where ice-shelf channels intersect its grounding zone Allison M. Chartrand, Ian M. Howat, Ian R. Joughin, and Benjamin E. Smith The Cryosphere, 18, 4971–4992, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4971-2024, 2024 This study uses high-resolution remote-sensing data to show that shrinking of the West Antarctic Thwaites Glacier’s ice shelf (floating extension) is exacerbated by several sub-ice-shelf meltwater channels that form as the glacier transitions from full contact with the seafloor to fully floating. In mapping these channels, the position of the transition zone, and thinning rates of the Thwaites Glacier, this work elucidates important processes driving its rapid contribution to sea level rise.

Improved snow property retrievals by solving for topography in the inversion of at-sensor radiance measurements

Improved snow property retrievals by solving for topography in the inversion of at-sensor radiance measurements Brenton A. Wilder, Joachim Meyer, Josh Enterkine, and Nancy F. Glenn The Cryosphere, 18, 5015–5029, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5015-2024, 2024 Remotely sensed properties of snow are dependent on accurate terrain information, which for a lot of the cryosphere and seasonal snow zones is often insufficient in accuracy. However, as we show in this paper, we can bypass this issue by optimally solving for the terrain by utilizing the raw radiance data returned to the sensor. This method performed well when compared to validation datasets and has the potential to be used across a variety of different snow climates.

Blood test could help diagnose bipolar disorder — but some researchers are sceptical

Nature, Published online: 06 November 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03616-7

Observation of vortices in a dipolar supersolid

Nature, Published online: 06 November 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08149-7

Sea angels and devils: could plankton unlock the secrets of human biology?

Scientists use new technology to sequence the DNA of microscopic ocean creatures for the first time

Off the west coast of Greenland, a 17-metre (56ft) aluminium sailing boat creeps through a narrow, rocky fjord in the Arctic twilight. The research team onboard, still bleary-eyed from the rough nine-day passage across the Labrador Sea, lower nets to collect plankton. This is the first time anyone has sequenced the DNA of the tiny marine creatures that live here.

Watching the nets with palpable excitement is Prof Leonid Moroz, a neuroscientist at the University of Florida’s Whitney marine lab. “This is what the world looked like when life began,” he tells his friend, Peter Molnar, the expedition leader with whom he co-founded the Ocean Genome Atlas Project (Ogap).

A simple snow temperature index model exposes discrepancies between reanalysis snow water equivalent products

A simple snow temperature index model exposes discrepancies between reanalysis snow water equivalent products Aleksandra Elias Chereque, Paul J. Kushner, Lawrence Mudryk, Chris Derksen, and Colleen Mortimer The Cryosphere, 18, 4955–4969, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4955-2024, 2024 We look at three commonly used snow depth datasets that are produced through a combination of snow modelling and historical measurements (reanalysis). When compared with each other, these datasets have differences that arise for various reasons. We show that a simple snow model can be used to examine these inconsistencies and highlight issues. This method indicates that one of the complex datasets should be excluded from further studies.

Contribution of blowing-snow sublimation to the surface mass balance of Antarctica

Contribution of blowing-snow sublimation to the surface mass balance of Antarctica Srinidhi Gadde and Willem Jan van de Berg The Cryosphere, 18, 4933–4953, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4933-2024, 2024 Blowing-snow sublimation is the major loss term in the mass balance of Antarctica. In this study we update the blowing-snow representation in the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO). With the updates, results compare well with observations from East Antarctica. Also, the continent-wide variation of blowing snow compares well with satellite observations. Hence, the updates provide a clear step forward in producing a physically sound and reliable estimate of the mass balance of Antarctica.

Hubble and Webb probe surprisingly smooth disk around Vega

In the 1997 movie "Contact," adapted from Carl Sagan's 1985 novel, the lead character scientist Ellie Arroway (played by actor Jodi Foster) takes a space-alien-built wormhole ride to the star Vega. She emerges inside a snowstorm of debris encircling the star—but no obvious planets are visible.

International SWOT satellite spots planet-rumbling Greenland tsunami

The international Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite mission, a collaboration between NASA and France's CNES (Center National d'Études Spatiales), detected the unique contours of a tsunami that sloshed within the steep walls of a fjord in Greenland in September 2023.

Earth from Space: Ross Island, Antarctica

Image: The icy landscape of Ross Island in Antarctica is featured in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from 3 February 2024, during the austral summer.

Landmark 20-year study of climate change impact on permafrost forests

A research team conducted perhaps the first long-term observation of CO2 budget in a permafrost forest. During the 20 years from 2003-2022, the team uncovered intriguing findings in the interior of Alaska.

Large meltwater accumulation revealed inside Greenland Ice Sheet

A new study unveils a surprising discovery: a substantial amount of meltwater is temporarily stored within the Greenland Ice Sheet during summer months. For the first time, an international group of researchers was able to quantify meltwater with positioning data. The finding challenges current models of how ice sheets contribute to global sea level rise.

Vertical bedrock shifts reveal summer water storage in Greenland ice sheet

Nature, Published online: 30 October 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08096-3

Softening of the optical phonon by reduced interatomic bonding strength without depolarization

Nature, Published online: 30 October 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08099-0

New NASA instrument for studying snowpack completes airborne testing

Summer heat has significant effects in the mountainous regions of the western United States. Melted snow washes from snowy peaks into the rivers, reservoirs, and streams that supply millions of Americans with freshwater—as much as 75% of the annual freshwater supply for some states.

Weddell seals in the Antarctic strategically time their most extreme dives to maximize foraging

Weddell seals in Erebus Bay, Antarctica, may look like couch potatoes when they are resting on ice. However, these seals, which are the southernmost population of the southernmost living mammals, are exceptional divers that can reach depths of more than 900 meters and recorded dives lasting 96 minutes, which is well beyond their aerobic threshold. Scientists have identified an optimal and novel dive foraging strategy the seals employ to capture prey in the highly seasonal Antarctic environment with its rapidly changing light regimes. In this optimal foraging strategy, the seals typically strategically conduct their deepest, longest, most extreme dives earlier than solar noon, rather than during peak foraging times at midday. Extreme dives require seals to have longer recuperation times once they return to the surface, and so cuts into their foraging time. By conducting these dives early in the day, the seals can better take advantage of peak midday foraging times, according to the researchers.

Firn seismic anisotropy in the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream from ambient-noise surface waves

Firn seismic anisotropy in the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream from ambient-noise surface waves Emma Pearce, Dimitri Zigone, Coen Hofstede, Andreas Fichtner, Joachim Rimpot, Sune Olander Rasmussen, Johannes Freitag, and Olaf Eisen The Cryosphere, 18, 4917–4932, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4917-2024, 2024 Our study near EastGRIP camp in Greenland shows varying firn properties by direction (crucial for studying ice stream stability, structure, surface mass balance, and past climate conditions). We used dispersion curve analysis of Love and Rayleigh waves to show firn is nonuniform along and across the flow of an ice stream due to wind patterns, seasonal variability, and the proximity to the edge of the ice stream. This method better informs firn structure, advancing ice stream understanding.

Mount Fuji breaks records as it remains snowless for longer than ever before

Japan's highest mountain typically gets snow by early October, but there has been unusually warm weather this year.

How does a change in climate variability impact the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance?

How does a change in climate variability impact the Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance? Tobias Zolles and Andreas Born The Cryosphere, 18, 4831–4844, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4831-2024, 2024 The Greenland ice sheet largely depends on the climate state. The uncertainties associated with the year-to-year variability have only a marginal impact on our simulated surface mass budget; this increases our confidence in projections and reconstructions. Basing the simulations on proxies, e.g., temperature, results in overestimates of the surface mass balance, as climatologies lead to small amounts of snowfall every day. This can be reduced by including sub-monthly precipitation variability.

The organization of subglacial drainage during the demise of the Finnish Lake District Ice Lobe

The organization of subglacial drainage during the demise of the Finnish Lake District Ice Lobe Adam J. Hepburn, Christine F. Dow, Antti Ojala, Joni Mäkinen, Elina Ahokangas, Jussi Hovikoski, Jukka-Pekka Palmu, and Kari Kajuutti The Cryosphere, 18, 4873–4916, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4873-2024, 2024 Terrain formerly occupied by ice sheets in the last ice age allows us to parameterize models of basal water flow using terrain and data unavailable beneath current ice sheets. Using GlaDS, a 2D basal hydrology model, we explore the origin of murtoos, a specific landform found throughout Finland that is thought to mark the upper limit of channels beneath the ice. Our results validate many of the predictions of murtoo origins and demonstrate that such models can be used to explore past ice sheets.

Characterizing southeast Greenland fjord surface ice and freshwater flux to support biological applications

Characterizing southeast Greenland fjord surface ice and freshwater flux to support biological applications Twila A. Moon, Benjamin Cohen, Taryn E. Black, Kristin L. Laidre, Harry L. Stern, and Ian Joughin The Cryosphere, 18, 4845–4872, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4845-2024, 2024 The complex geomorphology of southeast Greenland (SEG) creates dynamic fjord habitats for top marine predators, featuring glacier-derived floating ice, pack and landfast sea ice, and freshwater flux. We study the physical environment of SEG fjords, focusing on surface ice conditions, to provide a regional characterization that supports biological research. As Arctic warming persists, SEG may serve as a long-term refugium for ice-dependent wildlife due to the persistence of regional ice sheets.

Melting Arctic sea-ice could affect global ocean circulation

The warming climate in polar regions may significantly disrupt ocean circulation patterns, a new study indicates. Scientists discovered that in the distant past, growing inflows of freshwater from melting Arctic sea-ice into the Nordic Seas likely significantly affected ocean circulation, sending temperatures plummeting across northern Europe.

Slowing ocean current could ease Arctic warming -- a little

The Arctic is warming at three to four times the global average. However, new research suggests the slowing of a key ocean current could reduce projected Arctic warming by up to 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

Polar bears and vampires? Building a new magnetometer home in Greenland

Throughout the summer of 2024 an intrepid team from DTU Space took to the Arctic climes of Narsarsuaq, Greenland, to install the latest in their portfolio of ground-based magnetometers and a snazzy all-sky camera to keep tabs on the changes in Earth’s magnetic field. Between icebergs and flower-filled valleys, fjords [...]

Waning snowfields have transformed into hotspots of greening within the alpine zone

Nature Climate Change, Published online: 25 October 2024; doi:10.1038/s41558-024-02177-x

Ice mélange melt changes observed water column stratification at a tidewater glacier in Greenland

Ice mélange melt changes observed water column stratification at a tidewater glacier in Greenland Nicole Abib, David A. Sutherland, Rachel Peterson, Ginny Catania, Jonathan D. Nash, Emily L. Shroyer, Leigh A. Stearns, and Timothy C. Bartholomaus The Cryosphere, 18, 4817–4829, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4817-2024, 2024 The melting of ice mélange, or dense packs of icebergs and sea ice in glacial fjords, can influence the water column by releasing cold fresh water deep under the ocean surface. However, direct observations of this process have remained elusive. We use measurements of ocean temperature, salinity, and velocity bookending an episodic ice mélange event to show that this meltwater input changes the density profile of a glacial fjord and has implications for understanding tidewater glacier change.

Russia’s Warming Arctic Is a Climate Threat. War Has Shut Scientists Out of It.

Climate science has been stymied as Russia continues its war in Ukraine. The stalled work threatens to leave the West without a clear picture of how fast the Earth is heating up.

Polar bears face higher risk of disease in a warming Arctic

Climate change and sea ice loss leaves polar bears exposed to more diseases, research suggests.

Brief communication: Stalagmite damage by cave ice flow quantitatively assessed by fluid–structure interaction simulations

Brief communication: Stalagmite damage by cave ice flow quantitatively assessed by fluid–structure interaction simulations Alexander H. Jarosch, Paul Hofer, and Christoph Spötl The Cryosphere, 18, 4811–4816, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4811-2024, 2024 Mechanical damage to stalagmites is commonly observed in mid-latitude caves. In this study we investigate ice flow along the cave bed as a possible mechanism for stalagmite damage. Utilizing models which simulate forces created by ice flow, we study the structural integrity of different stalagmite geometries. Our results suggest that structural failure of stalagmites caused by ice flow is possible, albeit unlikely.

Review article: Retrogressive thaw slump characteristics and terminology

Review article: Retrogressive thaw slump characteristics and terminology Nina Nesterova, Marina Leibman, Alexander Kizyakov, Hugues Lantuit, Ilya Tarasevich, Ingmar Nitze, Alexandra Veremeeva, and Guido Grosse The Cryosphere, 18, 4787–4810, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4787-2024, 2024 Retrogressive thaw slumps (RTSs) are widespread in the Arctic permafrost landforms. RTSs present a big interest for researchers because of their expansion due to climate change. There are currently different scientific schools and terminology used in the literature on this topic. We have critically reviewed existing concepts and terminology and provided clarifications to present a useful base for experts in the field and ease the introduction to the topic for scientists who are new to it.

Polar bears' exposure to pathogens is increasing as their environment changes

As the Arctic warms, polar bears now face a greater risk of contracting several pathogens than bears three decades ago, according to a new study.

Publisher Correction: Using both faces of polar semiconductor wafers for functional devices

Nature, Published online: 23 October 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08199-x

Elucidation of spatiotemporal structures from high-resolution blowing-snow observations

Elucidation of spatiotemporal structures from high-resolution blowing-snow observations Kouichi Nishimura, Masaki Nemoto, Yoichi Ito, Satoru Omiya, Kou Shimoyama, and Hirofumi Niiya The Cryosphere, 18, 4775–4786, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4775-2024, 2024 It is crucial to consider organized structures such as turbulence sweeps and ejections when discussing the onset and development of snow transport. This study aims to systematically measure blowing and drifting snow to investigate their spatiotemporal structures. To achieve this goal, we have deployed 15 snow particle counters (SPCs) in designated test areas and are conducting measurements using an equal number of ultrasonic anemometers, providing high-temporal-resolution data.

Change in grounding line location on the Antarctic Peninsula measured using a tidal motion offset correlation method

Change in grounding line location on the Antarctic Peninsula measured using a tidal motion offset correlation method Benjamin J. Wallis, Anna E. Hogg, Yikai Zhu, and Andrew Hooper The Cryosphere, 18, 4723–4742, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4723-2024, 2024 The grounding line, where ice begins to float, is an essential variable to understand ice dynamics, but in some locations it can be challenging to measure with established techniques. Using satellite data and a new method, Wallis et al. measure the grounding line position of glaciers and ice shelves in the Antarctic Peninsula and find retreats of up to 16.3 km have occurred since the last time measurements were made in the 1990s.

The cryostratigraphy of thermo-erosion gullies in the Canadian High Arctic demonstrates the resilience of permafrost

The cryostratigraphy of thermo-erosion gullies in the Canadian High Arctic demonstrates the resilience of permafrost Samuel Gagnon, Daniel Fortier, Étienne Godin, and Audrey Veillette The Cryosphere, 18, 4743–4763, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4743-2024, 2024 Thermo-erosion gullies (TEGs) are one of the most common forms of abrupt permafrost degradation. While their inception has been examined in several studies, the processes of their stabilization remain poorly documented. For this study, we investigated two TEGs in the Canadian High Arctic. We found that, while the formation of a TEG leaves permanent geomorphological scars in landscapes, in the long term, permafrost can recover to conditions similar to those pre-dating the initial disturbance.

Three-dimensional discrete element simulations on pressure ridge formation

Three-dimensional discrete element simulations on pressure ridge formation Marek Muchow and Arttu Polojärvi The Cryosphere, 18, 4765–4774, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4765-2024, 2024 We present the first explicit three-dimensional simulations of sea-ice ridge formation, which enables us to observe failure in several locations simultaneously. Sea-ice ridges are formed when ice converges and fails due to wind and ocean currents, so broken ice accumulates in a ridge. Previous two-dimensional models could not capture this behavior. We conclude that non-simultaneous failure is necessary to simulate ridging forces to assess how ridging forces relate to other ice properties.

Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer helps researchers determine shape of black hole corona

New findings using data from NASA's IXPE (Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer) mission offer unprecedented insight into the shape and nature of a structure important to black holes called a corona. The findings are published in The Astrophysical Journal.

Land cover succession for recently drained lakes in permafrost on the Yamal Peninsula, Western Siberia

Land cover succession for recently drained lakes in permafrost on the Yamal Peninsula, Western Siberia Clemens von Baeckmann, Annett Bartsch, Helena Bergstedt, Aleksandra Efimova, Barbara Widhalm, Dorothee Ehrich, Timo Kumpula, Alexander Sokolov, and Svetlana Abdulmanova The Cryosphere, 18, 4703–4722, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4703-2024, 2024 Lakes are common features in Arctic permafrost areas. Land cover change following their drainage needs to be monitored since it has implications for ecology and the carbon cycle. Satellite data are key in this context. We compared a common vegetation index approach with a novel land-cover-monitoring scheme. Land cover information provides specific information on wetland features. We also showed that the bioclimatic gradients play a significant role after drainage within the first 10 years.

Parachutes Made of Mucus Change How Some Scientists See the Ocean

With a new kind of microscope, researchers got a different view of how marine snow falls to the seafloor.

Assessing the representation of Arctic sea ice and the marginal ice zone in ocean–sea ice reanalyses

Assessing the representation of Arctic sea ice and the marginal ice zone in ocean–sea ice reanalyses Francesco Cocetta, Lorenzo Zampieri, Julia Selivanova, and Doroteaciro Iovino The Cryosphere, 18, 4687–4702, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4687-2024, 2024 Arctic sea ice is thinning and retreating because of global warming. Thus, the region is transitioning to a new state featuring an expansion of the marginal ice zone, a region where mobile ice interacts with waves from the open ocean. By analyzing 30 years of sea ice reconstructions that combine numerical models and observations, this paper proves that an ensemble of global ocean and sea ice reanalyses is an adequate tool for investigating the changing Arctic sea ice cover.

Contract secures build for ESA’s Harmony mission

ESA has awarded a contract valued at over €280 million to OHB in Germany to build ESA’s two Harmony Earth Explorer satellites.

This innovative research mission will provide valuable new data on various Earth processes, from shifts in the shape of the land surface caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity to insights into glacier movement. Additionally, it will enhance our understanding of the interactions between the upper ocean and lower atmosphere, all of which will contribute to a deeper comprehension of Earth's dynamic systems.

Simulated mission to Mars: Survey of lichen species

A collection-based survey of lichen species at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, USA and Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station in Nunavut, Canada was conducted as part of the Mars-160 mission, a simulation of Martian surface exploration. The survey identified 48 lichen taxa, with 35 species from the Utah site and 13 species from the Canadian site.

House science panel says an ‘absent’ NSF failed to protect Antarctic workers from sexual harassment

Report urges U.S. research agency to make safety a higher priority in new support contract

Centennial-scale variations in the carbon cycle enhanced by high obliquity

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 11 October 2024; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01556-5

Declines in plant resilience threaten carbon storage in the Arctic

Rapid warming has impacted the northern ecosystem so significantly that scientists are concerned the region's vegetation is losing the ability to recover from climate shocks, suggests a new study.

Snowflake dance analysis could improve rain forecasts

Research observing the physical motion of falling ice crystals could help scientists better estimate where and when these crystals will melt into raindrops.

The grain-scale signature of isotopic diffusion in ice

The grain-scale signature of isotopic diffusion in ice Felix S. L. Ng The Cryosphere, 18, 4645–4669, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4645-2024, 2024 Liquid veins and grain boundaries in ice can accelerate the decay of climate signals in δ18O and δD by short-circuiting the slow isotopic diffusion in crystal grains. This theory for "excess diffusion" has not been confirmed experimentally. We show that, if the mechanism occurs, then distinct isotopic patterns must form near grain junctions, offering a testable prediction of the theory. We calculate the patterns and describe an experimental scheme for testing ice-core samples for the mechanism.

Exploring the decision-making process in model development: focus on the Arctic snowpack

Exploring the decision-making process in model development: focus on the Arctic snowpack Cecile B. Menard, Sirpa Rasmus, Ioanna Merkouriadi, Gianpaolo Balsamo, Annett Bartsch, Chris Derksen, Florent Domine, Marie Dumont, Dorothee Ehrich, Richard Essery, Bruce C. Forbes, Gerhard Krinner, David Lawrence, Glen Liston, Heidrun Matthes, Nick Rutter, Melody Sandells, Martin Schneebeli, and Sari Stark The Cryosphere, 18, 4671–4686, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4671-2024, 2024 Computer models, like those used in climate change studies, are written by modellers who have to decide how best to construct the models in order to satisfy the purpose they serve. Using snow modelling as an example, we examine the process behind the decisions to understand what motivates or limits modellers in their decision-making. We find that the context in which research is undertaken is often more crucial than scientific limitations. We argue for more transparency in our research practice.

Simulating lake ice phenology using a coupled atmosphere–lake model at Nam Co, a typical deep alpine lake on the Tibetan Plateau

Simulating lake ice phenology using a coupled atmosphere–lake model at Nam Co, a typical deep alpine lake on the Tibetan Plateau Xu Zhou, Binbin Wang, Xiaogang Ma, Zhu La, and Kun Yang The Cryosphere, 18, 4589–4605, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4589-2024, 2024 The simulation of the ice phenology of Nam Co by WRF is investigated. Compared with the default model, improving the key lake schemes, such as water surface roughness length for heat fluxes and the shortwave radiation transfer for lake ice, can better simulate the lake ice phenology. The still existing errors in the spatial patterns of lake ice phenology imply that challenges still exist in modelling key lake and non-lake physics such as grid-scale water circulation and snow-related processes.

El Niño enhances snow-line rise and ice loss on the Quelccaya Ice Cap, Peru

El Niño enhances snow-line rise and ice loss on the Quelccaya Ice Cap, Peru Kara A. Lamantia, Laura J. Larocca, Lonnie G. Thompson, and Bryan G. Mark The Cryosphere, 18, 4633–4644, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4633-2024, 2024 Glaciers that exist within tropical regions are vital water resources and excellent indicators of a changing climate. We use satellite imagery analysis to detect the boundary between snow and ice on the Quelccaya Ice Cap (QIC), Peru, which indicates the ice cap's overall health. These results are analyzed with other variables, such as temperature, precipitation, and sea surface temperature anomalies, to better understand the factors and timelines driving the ice retreat.

Exploring the potential of forest snow modeling at the tree and snowpack layer scale

Exploring the potential of forest snow modeling at the tree and snowpack layer scale Giulia Mazzotti, Jari-Pekka Nousu, Vincent Vionnet, Tobias Jonas, Rafife Nheili, and Matthieu Lafaysse The Cryosphere, 18, 4607–4632, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4607-2024, 2024 As many boreal and alpine forests have seasonal snow, models are needed to predict forest snow under future environmental conditions. We have created a new forest snow model by combining existing, very detailed model components for the canopy and the snowpack. We applied it to forests in Switzerland and Finland and showed how complex forest cover leads to a snowpack layering that is very variable in space and time because different processes prevail at different locations in the forest.

My pilgrimage to the vanishing Sphinx snow patch

The Sphinx, a patch of snow thought to be the longest-lasting in the UK, has melted for the fourth consecutive year.

Melt sensitivity of irreversible retreat of Pine Island Glacier

Melt sensitivity of irreversible retreat of Pine Island Glacier Brad Reed, J. A. Mattias Green, Adrian Jenkins, and G. Hilmar Gudmundsson The Cryosphere, 18, 4567–4587, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4567-2024, 2024 We use a numerical ice-flow model to simulate the response of a 1940s Pine Island Glacier to changes in melting beneath its ice shelf. A decadal period of warm forcing is sufficient to push the glacier into an unstable, irreversible retreat from its long-term position on a subglacial ridge to an upstream ice plain. This retreat can only be stopped when unrealistic cold forcing is applied. These results show that short warm anomalies can lead to quick and substantial increases in ice flux.

2024 Antarctic sea ice maximum extent finishes at second lowest

On September 19, Antarctic sea ice likely reached its annual maximum extent of 17.16 million square kilometers (6.63 million square miles). The 2024 maximum is the second lowest in the 46-year satellite record above only 2023.

The new abnormal

Since 2007, the Arctic sea ice minimum has dropped below 5 million square kilometers (1.93 million square miles) every year, except in 2009, 2013, and 2014, when extent barely crossed the 5 million square kilometer mark. Such low extents would have been hard to imagine in the 1990s, when extent averaged 6.46 million square kilometers (2.49 million square miles). Arctic climate warming continues to lead an unfortunate path of change for the planet. Here, NSIDC researchers summarize this year’s events in the Arctic, and touch upon Antarctica sea ice extent at the end of its austral winter.

Modelling the effect of free convection on permafrost melting rates in frozen rock clefts

Modelling the effect of free convection on permafrost melting rates in frozen rock clefts Amir Sedaghatkish, Frédéric Doumenc, Pierre-Yves Jeannin, and Marc Luetscher The Cryosphere, 18, 4531–4546, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4531-2024, 2024 We developed a model to simulate the natural convection of water within frozen rock crevices subject to daily warming in mountain permafrost regions. Traditional models relying on conduction and latent heat flux typically overlook free convection. The results reveal that free convection can significantly accelerate the melting rate by an order of magnitude compared to conduction-based models. Our results are important for assessing the impact of climate change on mountain infrastructure.

A model framework for atmosphere–snow water vapor exchange and the associated isotope effects at Dome Argus, Antarctica – Part 1: The diurnal changes

A model framework for atmosphere–snow water vapor exchange and the associated isotope effects at Dome Argus, Antarctica – Part 1: The diurnal changes Tianming Ma, Zhuang Jiang, Minghu Ding, Pengzhen He, Yuansheng Li, Wenqian Zhang, and Lei Geng The Cryosphere, 18, 4547–4565, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4547-2024, 2024 We constructed a box model to evaluate the isotope effects of atmosphere–snow water vapor exchange at Dome A, Antarctica. The results show clear and invisible diurnal changes in surface snow isotopes under summer and winter conditions, respectively. The model also predicts that the annual net effects of atmosphere–snow water vapor exchange would be overall enrichments in snow isotopes since the effects in summer appear to be greater than those in winter at the study site.

The rate of climate change threatens to exceed the adaptive capacity of species

A recent study focusing on the Arctic Siberian primrose underscores the critical need to curb climate change to allow species time to adapt through evolution.

‘Ring of Fire’ Solar Eclipse Will Be Visible in Parts of South America

Not everyone will be able to see the phenomenon, known as an annular eclipse, on Wednesday, though a partial solar eclipse may be visible in parts of Antarctica and Hawaii.

From crevasse falls to polar bears, train fieldwork leaders for emergencies

Nature, Published online: 02 October 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-03155-1

Unveiling the hidden snow dunes shaping Antarctica's frozen landscape

Sand dunes are a familiar sight along beaches and in deserts. While we know how regular sand dunes are formed, much less is known about dunes made of snow. In a new study, scientists have analysed the vast snow dunes across Antarctica – reshaping our understanding of the continent's surface dynamics.

This research sheds light on the unexplored world of Antarctic snow dunes, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interactions between wind, snow and climate in one of Earth's harshest environments.

Why the most climate-resistant glaciers are hiding in plain sight

In the American West, white glaciers and snow fields are outnumbered by long-overlooked “rock glaciers.” The rock covering these vast hunks of ice makes them far less affected by warming temperatures.

The Vikings were part of a global network trading in ivory from Greenland

New research shows that the Vikings traveled more than 6,000 kilometers to the Arctic to hunt for walrus. DNA analyses reveal that walrus ivory from Greenland was brought to Europe and probably as far as the Middle East [M1] via extensive trade networks.

Switzerland and Italy redraw border due to melting glaciers

Glacier ridgelines marking the border near the Matterhorn mountain are shifting as ice continues to melt.

Any ice-age telepaths out there? Please explain why Netflix is revisiting Ancient Apocalypse | Catherine Bennett

A catastrophe is indeed looming in letting Graham Hancock return with his oddball theories, now with Keanu Reeves in tow

Diary note: it may seem a while off, but the end of the world is still scheduled for 2030, precise date TBC. After once suggesting that nameless devastation could be upon us in 2012, the evergreen eschatologist Graham Hancock subsequently updated his advice to a comet, now six years off. Or thereabouts. MailOnline, which has been exhuming an ancient Hancock text, reminds readers of his “dire warning for our age”.

What is certain, anyway, is that a great and horrifying catastrophe will occur as soon as 16 October. This is the day Netflix will launch something astounding, almost beyond belief, something sceptics said could never happen: series 2 of Hancock’s Ancient Apocalypse. And stranger still: this terrible event stars, along with Hancock, the Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves.

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Unprecedented 21st century glacier loss on Mt. Hood, Oregon, USA

Unprecedented 21st century glacier loss on Mt. Hood, Oregon, USA Nicolas Bakken-French, Stephen J. Boyer, B. Clay Southworth, Megan Thayne, Dylan H. Rood, and Anders E. Carlson The Cryosphere, 18, 4517–4530, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4517-2024, 2024 Repeat photography, field mapping, and remote sensing find that glaciers on Mt. Hood, Oregon, have lost about 25 % of their area in the first 2 decades of the 21st century and 17 % of their area in the last 7–8 years. The 21st century recession rate is more than 3 times faster than the 20th century average and 1.9 times faster than the fastest period of retreat within the 20th century. This unprecedented retreat corresponds to regional summer warming of 1.7–1.8°C relative to the early 1900s.

From Open Water at the North Pole, to a Marathon Run on an Ice Floe, It Was Quite an Arctic Summer

The extent of Arctic sea ice has shriveled to its lowest extent for the year, heralding the end of summer. The ice covers about 750,000 fewer square miles of ocean than average — a testament to continuing climate change.

A study found Facebook’s algorithm didn’t promote political polarization. Critics have doubts

Letter to Science questions experiment done during 2020 U.S. elections

Identifying airborne snow metamorphism with stable water isotopes

Identifying airborne snow metamorphism with stable water isotopes Sonja Wahl, Benjamin Walter, Franziska Aemisegger, Luca Bianchi, and Michael Lehning The Cryosphere, 18, 4493–4515, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4493-2024, 2024 Wind-driven airborne transport of snow is a frequent phenomenon in snow-covered regions and a process difficult to study in the field as it is unfolding over large distances. Thus, we use a ring wind tunnel with infinite fetch positioned in a cold laboratory to study the evolution of the shape and size of airborne snow. With the help of stable water isotope analyses, we identify the hitherto unobserved process of airborne snow metamorphism that leads to snow particle rounding and growth.

Ice cores show pollution's impact on Arctic atmosphere

A new study on ice cores from Alaska and Greenland found that air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels reaches the remote Arctic in amounts large enough to alter its fundamental atmospheric chemistry. The researchers unexpectedly found pollution's footprint in levels of an airborne byproduct of marine phytoplankton activity, which plummeted as soon as widespread fossil fuel usage began in the industrial era. The findings illustrate the long reach of fossil fuel emissions.

The long-term sea-level commitment from Antarctica

The long-term sea-level commitment from Antarctica Ann Kristin Klose, Violaine Coulon, Frank Pattyn, and Ricarda Winkelmann The Cryosphere, 18, 4463–4492, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4463-2024, 2024 We systematically assess the long-term sea-level response from Antarctica to warming projected over the next centuries, using two ice-sheet models. We show that this committed Antarctic sea-level contribution is substantially higher than the transient sea-level change projected for the coming decades. A low-emission scenario already poses considerable risk of multi-meter sea-level increase over the next millennia, while additional East Antarctic ice loss unfolds under the high-emission pathway.

Using both faces of polar semiconductor wafers for functional devices

Nature, Published online: 25 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07983-z

Atmospheric blocking slows ocean-driven melting of Greenland's largest glacier tongue

Northeast Greenland is home to the 79 N Glacier -- the country's largest floating glacier tongue, but also one seriously threatened by global warming: warm water from the Atlantic is melting it from below. Experts have however now determined that the temperature of the water flowing into the glacier cavern declined from 2018 to 2021, even though the ocean has steadily warmed in the region over the past several decades. This could be due to temporarily changed atmospheric circulation patterns. Researchers now discuss how this affects the ocean and what it could mean for the future of Greenland's glaciers.

The influence of present-day regional surface mass balance uncertainties on the future evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet

The influence of present-day regional surface mass balance uncertainties on the future evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet Christian Wirths, Thomas F. Stocker, and Johannes C. R. Sutter The Cryosphere, 18, 4435–4462, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4435-2024, 2024 We investigated the influence of several regional climate models on the Antarctic Ice Sheet when applied as forcing for the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM). Our study shows that the choice of regional climate model forcing results in uncertainties of around a tenth of those in future sea level rise projections and also affects the extent of grounding line retreat in West Antarctica.

Quantifying the influence of snow over sea ice morphology on L-band passive microwave satellite observations in the Southern Ocean

Quantifying the influence of snow over sea ice morphology on L-band passive microwave satellite observations in the Southern Ocean Lu Zhou, Julienne Stroeve, Vishnu Nandan, Rosemary Willatt, Shiming Xu, Weixin Zhu, Sahra Kacimi, Stefanie Arndt, and Zifan Yang The Cryosphere, 18, 4399–4434, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4399-2024, 2024 Snow over Antarctic sea ice, influenced by highly variable meteorological conditions and heavy snowfall, has a complex stratigraphy and profound impact on the microwave signature. We employ advanced radiation transfer models to analyse the effects of complex snow properties on brightness temperatures over the sea ice in the Southern Ocean. Great potential lies in the understanding of snow processes and the application to satellite retrievals.

Arctic sea ice extent levels off; 2024 minimum set

On September 11, Arctic sea ice likely reached its annual minimum extent of 4.28 million square kilometers (1.65 million square miles). The 2024 minimum is the seventh lowest in the nearly 46-year satellite record. The last 18 years, from 2007 to 2024, are the lowest 18 sea ice extents in the satellite record.

How many parameters are needed to represent polar sea ice surface patterns and heterogeneity?

How many parameters are needed to represent polar sea ice surface patterns and heterogeneity? Joseph Fogarty, Elie Bou-Zeid, Mitchell Bushuk, and Linette Boisvert The Cryosphere, 18, 4335–4354, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4335-2024, 2024 We hypothesize that using a broad set of surface characterization metrics for polar sea ice surfaces will lead to more accurate representations in general circulation models. However, the first step is to identify the minimum set of metrics required. We show via numerical simulations that sea ice surface patterns can play a crucial role in determining boundary layer structures. We then statistically analyze a set of high-resolution sea ice surface images to obtain this minimal set of parameters.

Combining traditional and novel techniques to increase our understanding of the lock-in depth of atmospheric gases in polar ice cores – results from the EastGRIP region

Combining traditional and novel techniques to increase our understanding of the lock-in depth of atmospheric gases in polar ice cores – results from the EastGRIP region Julien Westhoff, Johannes Freitag, Anaïs Orsi, Patricia Martinerie, Ilka Weikusat, Michael Dyonisius, Xavier Faïn, Kevin Fourteau, and Thomas Blunier The Cryosphere, 18, 4379–4397, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4379-2024, 2024 We study the EastGRIP area, Greenland, in detail with traditional and novel techniques. Due to the compaction of the ice, at a certain depth, atmospheric gases can no longer exchange, and the atmosphere is trapped in air bubbles in the ice. We find this depth by pumping air from a borehole, modeling, and using a new technique based on the optical appearance of the ice. Our results suggest that the close-off depth lies at around 58–61 m depth and more precisely at 58.3 m depth.

How well can satellite altimetry and firn models resolve Antarctic firn thickness variations?

How well can satellite altimetry and firn models resolve Antarctic firn thickness variations? Maria T. Kappelsberger, Martin Horwath, Eric Buchta, Matthias O. Willen, Ludwig Schröder, Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Peter Kuipers Munneke, and Michiel R. van den Broeke The Cryosphere, 18, 4355–4378, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4355-2024, 2024 The interannual variations in the height of the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) are mainly due to natural variations in snowfall. Precise knowledge of these variations is important for the detection of any long-term climatic trends in AIS surface elevation. We present a new product that spatially resolves these height variations over the period 1992–2017. The product combines the strengths of atmospheric modeling results and satellite altimetry measurements.

Extreme polar light environment of the North and South Poles sustains biodiversity

Researchers working in Finland propose that the unique light environment of the Earth's Polar regions creates conditions that result in circumpolar hybrid zones around the North and the South Poles. These extreme conditions increase the synchrony of reproductive phenology among species, i.e., force all species into a smaller window for reproduction. This will sustain biodiversity in the long term.

Seasonal snow–atmosphere modeling: let's do it

Seasonal snow–atmosphere modeling: let's do it Dylan Reynolds, Louis Quéno, Michael Lehning, Mahdi Jafari, Justine Berg, Tobias Jonas, Michael Haugeneder, and Rebecca Mott The Cryosphere, 18, 4315–4333, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4315-2024, 2024 Information about atmospheric variables is needed to produce simulations of mountain snowpacks. We present a model that can represent processes that shape mountain snowpack, focusing on the accumulation of snow. Simulations show that this model can simulate the complex path that a snowflake takes towards the ground and that this leads to differences in the distribution of snow by the end of winter. Overall, this model shows promise with regard to improving forecasts of snow in mountains.

Multiscale modeling of heat and mass transfer in dry snow: influence of the condensation coefficient and comparison with experiments

Multiscale modeling of heat and mass transfer in dry snow: influence of the condensation coefficient and comparison with experiments Lisa Bouvet, Neige Calonne, Frédéric Flin, and Christian Geindreau The Cryosphere, 18, 4285–4313, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4285-2024, 2024 Four different macroscopic heat and mass transfer models have been derived for a large range of condensation coefficient values by an upscaling method. A comprehensive evaluation of the models is presented based on experimental datasets and numerical examples. The models reproduce the trend of experimental temperature and density profiles but underestimate the magnitude of the processes. Possible causes of these discrepancies and potential improvements for the models are suggested.

Feedback mechanisms controlling Antarctic glacial-cycle dynamics simulated with a coupled ice sheet–solid Earth model

Feedback mechanisms controlling Antarctic glacial-cycle dynamics simulated with a coupled ice sheet–solid Earth model Torsten Albrecht, Meike Bagge, and Volker Klemann The Cryosphere, 18, 4233–4255, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4233-2024, 2024 We performed coupled ice sheet–solid Earth simulations and discovered a positive (forebulge) feedback mechanism for advancing grounding lines, supporting a larger West Antarctic Ice Sheet during the Last Glacial Maximum. During deglaciation we found that the stabilizing glacial isostatic adjustment feedback dominates grounding-line retreat in the Ross Sea, with a weak Earth structure. This may have consequences for present and future ice sheet stability and potential rates of sea-level rise.

Antarctic sensitivity to oceanic melting parameterizations

Antarctic sensitivity to oceanic melting parameterizations Antonio Juarez-Martinez, Javier Blasco, Alexander Robinson, Marisa Montoya, and Jorge Alvarez-Solas The Cryosphere, 18, 4257–4283, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4257-2024, 2024 We present sea level projections for Antarctica in the context of ISMIP6-2300 with several forcings but extend the simulations to 2500, showing that more than 3 m of sea level contribution could be reached. We also test the sensitivity on a basal melting parameter and determine the timing of the loss of ice in the west region. All the simulations were carried out with the ice sheet model Yelmo.

Arctic warming may fuel ice formation in clouds

Rising temperatures are thought to reduce the number of ice crystals in clouds, leading to the formation of liquid-dominated clouds. However, a new study has found that Arctic warming is causing an increase in the emission of natural aerosols from snow/ice-free barren and vegetated areas in the Arctic. These aerosols can encourage ice crystal formation in mixed-phase clouds, potentially affecting cloud composition and the Arctic climate.

Arctic Weather Satellite’s first images capture Storm Boris

Just a month after its launch, ESA’s Arctic Weather Satellite has already delivered its first images, notably capturing Storm Boris, which has been wreaking havoc across central Europe. 

Measurements of frazil ice flocs in rivers

Measurements of frazil ice flocs in rivers Chuankang Pei, Jiaqi Yang, Yuntong She, and Mark Loewen The Cryosphere, 18, 4177–4196, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4177-2024, 2024 Frazil flocs are aggregates of frazil ice particles that form in supercooled water. As they grow, they rise to the river surface, contributing to ice cover formation. We measured the properties of frazil flocs in rivers for the first time using underwater imaging. We found that the floc size distributions follow a lognormal distribution and mean floc size decreases linearly as the local Reynolds number increases. Floc volume concentration has a power law correlation with the relative depth.

Employing automated electrical resistivity tomography for detecting short- and long-term changes in permafrost and active-layer dynamics in the maritime Antarctic

Employing automated electrical resistivity tomography for detecting short- and long-term changes in permafrost and active-layer dynamics in the maritime Antarctic Mohammad Farzamian, Teddi Herring, Gonçalo Vieira, Miguel Angel de Pablo, Borhan Yaghoobi Tabar, and Christian Hauck The Cryosphere, 18, 4197–4213, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4197-2024, 2024 An automated electrical resistivity tomography (A-ERT) system was developed and deployed in Antarctica to monitor permafrost and active-layer dynamics. The A-ERT, coupled with an efficient processing workflow, demonstrated its capability to monitor real-time thaw depth progression, detect seasonal and surficial freezing–thawing events, and assess permafrost stability. Our study showcased the potential of A-ERT to contribute to global permafrost monitoring networks.

Analytical solutions for the advective–diffusive ice column in the presence of strain heating

Analytical solutions for the advective–diffusive ice column in the presence of strain heating Daniel Moreno-Parada, Alexander Robinson, Marisa Montoya, and Jorge Alvarez-Solas The Cryosphere, 18, 4215–4232, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4215-2024, 2024 Our study tries to understand how the ice temperature evolves in a large mass as in the case of Antarctica. We found a relation that tells us the ice temperature at any point. These results are important because they also determine how the ice moves. In general, ice moves due to slow deformation (as if pouring honey from a jar). Nevertheless, in some regions the ice base warms enough and melts. The liquid water then serves as lubricant and the ice slides and its velocity increases rapidly.

The effect of ice shelf rheology on shelf edge bending

The effect of ice shelf rheology on shelf edge bending W. Roger Buck The Cryosphere, 18, 4165–4176, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4165-2024, 2024 Standard theory predicts that the edge of an ice shelf should bend downward. Satellite observations show that the edges of many ice shelves bend upward. A new theory for ice shelf bending is developed that, for the first time, includes the kind of vertical variations in ice flow properties expected for ice shelves. Upward bending of shelf edges is predicted as long as the ice surface is very cold and the ice flow properties depend strongly on temperature.

Arctic ecosystems get long-term look with drifting research station

Riding on top of sea ice, domed vessel will carry crews on 2-year-long polar voyages

A megatsunami in a remote fjord rang Earth like a bell for 9 days

Scientists trace strange seismic signal to landslide that triggered sloshing, 200-meter-tall waves in Greenland

New discovery about ice layer formation in ice sheets can improve sea level rise predictions

A newly discovered mechanism for the flow and freezing of ice sheet meltwater could improve estimates of sea level rise around the globe. Researchers have found a new mechanism that explains the process of how impermeable horizontal ice layers are formed below the surface, a process critical for determining the contribution of ice sheet meltwater to sea level rise.

Climate-change-triggered 2023 mega-landslide caused Earth to vibrate for nine days

A landslide in a remote part of Greenland caused a 200 meter (650 foot) mega-tsunami that sloshed back and forth across a fjord for nine days, generating vibrations throughout Earth, according to a new study. The study concluded that this movement of water was the cause of a mysterious, global seismic signal that lasted for nine days and puzzled seismologists in September 2023.

Mike Robins obituary

My father, Mike Robins, who has died aged 86, was a physiologist and cancer biologist whose research focus was on the growth of cells. He wrote many academic papers and, with Benjamin King, revised the standard undergraduate book Cancer Biology (2006).

He also loved marine biology and, with diving friends and colleagues at the University of London Sub Aqua Club, contributed in the 1960s and 70s to early descriptions of the marine ecology of Swanage Bay in Dorset, the Scilly Isles and Lundy. His particular interest was marine hydroids and the ecology of Dead Man’s Fingers (Alcyoniums). During a summer diving season in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey in 1970 he found and named a new hydroid species – Monobrachium antarcticum.

SpaceX performs historic first spacewalk with Polaris Dawn crew

SpaceX pulled off its first spacewalk in the early hours of Thursday morning, in a historic first for a company.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn: all-civilian crew completes first privately funded spacewalk – as it happened

This live blog is now closed, you can read our report of the spacewalk here

My colleague points out that the elbows of the new SpaceX suit looks like a “tumble drier pipe”.

This will take about 8 minutes as they empty the cabin of air.

Polaris Dawn astronauts complete first commercial spacewalk

Billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX’s Sarah Gillis exit capsule in slimmed-down spacesuits hundreds of miles up

Two astronauts have completed the first commercial spacewalk and tested slimmed-down spacesuits designed by SpaceX, in one of the boldest attempts yet to push the boundaries of privately funded spaceflight.

Hundreds of miles above Earth and orbiting at close to 30,000km/h (18,600mph), the billionaire Jared Isaacman, 41, who chartered the Polaris Dawn mission, exited the space capsule at 11.52am BST on Thursday.

'A perfect world': billionaire's helmet cam shows moment of first ever private spacewalk – video

The billionaire Jared Isaacman and his fellow crew members completed the first privately funded spacewalk as a livestream of the mission showed Isaacman manually opening the hatch to enter space. Upon seeing Earth, he said: 'Back at home we all have a lot of work to do but from here, the Earth sure looks like a perfect world'

• SpaceX Polaris Dawn live: all-civilian crew completes first privately funded spacewalk

Assessing sea ice microwave emissivity up to submillimeter waves from airborne and satellite observations

Assessing sea ice microwave emissivity up to submillimeter waves from airborne and satellite observations Nils Risse, Mario Mech, Catherine Prigent, Gunnar Spreen, and Susanne Crewell The Cryosphere, 18, 4137–4163, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4137-2024, 2024 Passive microwave observations from satellites are crucial for monitoring Arctic sea ice and atmosphere. To do this effectively, it is important to understand how sea ice emits microwaves. Through unique Arctic sea ice observations, we improved our understanding, identified four distinct emission types, and expanded current knowledge to include higher frequencies. These findings will enhance our ability to monitor the Arctic climate and provide valuable information for new satellite missions.

Modelling subglacial fluvial sediment transport with a graph-based model, Graphical Subglacial Sediment Transport (GraphSSeT)

Modelling subglacial fluvial sediment transport with a graph-based model, Graphical Subglacial Sediment Transport (GraphSSeT) Alan Robert Alexander Aitken, Ian Delaney, Guillaume Pirot, and Mauro A. Werder The Cryosphere, 18, 4111–4136, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4111-2024, 2024 Understanding how glaciers generate sediment and transport it to the ocean is important for understanding ocean ecosystems and developing knowledge of the past cryosphere from marine sediments. This paper presents a new way to simulate sediment transport in rivers below ice sheets and glaciers and quantify volumes and characteristics of sediment that can be used to reveal the hidden record of the subglacial environment for both past and present glacial conditions.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn astronauts conduct the first-ever private spacewalk

An internet entrepreneur and a SpaceX engineer have become the first private astronauts to walk in space.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn Spacewalk: How to Watch the Astronauts

The astronauts of the Polaris Dawn mission, after traveling through heavy radiation and high orbits, are getting ready to open the hatch of their SpaceX vehicle.

Weird signal that baffled seismologists traced to mega-landslide in Greenland

Nature, Published online: 12 September 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-02969-3

First private spacewalk a success! What the SpaceX mission means for science

Nature, Published online: 12 September 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-02855-y

9 phenomena NASA astronauts will encounter at Moon's south pole

NASA's Artemis campaign will send the first woman and the first person of color to the moon's south polar region, marking humanity's first return to the lunar surface in more than 50 years.

Polaris Dawn project aims to prevent bone loss in space

Dartmouth researchers have a project aboard the Polaris Dawn mission they hope will help address two major health risks of space flight—the breakdown of astronauts' bones in zero-gravity conditions and the resulting danger of developing kidney stones.

Antarctic research supports healthy space for astronauts

Astronauts and Australian Antarctic expeditioners are working together to advance human health in space, and on Earth.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn crew set for historic private spacewalk

After trekking deeper into space than any humans in the last half-century, a pioneering private crew is set to make history Thursday with the first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

Polaris Dawn Astronauts in SpaceX Dragon Reach Record Orbit Above Earth

After launching early on Tuesday, the billionaire Jared Isaacman and his crew traveled to altitudes not visited by any astronaut since the Apollo moon missions of the 1960s and ’70s.

Technicality gives Raygun world number one ranking

The Australian breakdancer is on top of the latest rankings despite her polarizing Olympic routine.

Two-axis twisting using Floquet-engineered XYZ spin models with polar molecules

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07883-2

Controllable p- and n-type behaviours in emissive perovskite semiconductors

Nature, Published online: 11 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07792-4

Which global reanalysis dataset has better representativeness in snow cover on the Tibetan Plateau?

Which global reanalysis dataset has better representativeness in snow cover on the Tibetan Plateau? Shirui Yan, Yang Chen, Yaliang Hou, Kexin Liu, Xuejing Li, Yuxuan Xing, Dongyou Wu, Jiecan Cui, Yue Zhou, Wei Pu, and Xin Wang The Cryosphere, 18, 4089–4109, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4089-2024, 2024 The snow cover over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays a role in climate and hydrological systems, yet there are uncertainties in snow cover fraction (SCF) estimations within reanalysis datasets. This study utilized the Snow Property Inversion from Remote Sensing (SPIReS) SCF data to assess the accuracy of eight widely used reanalysis SCF datasets over the TP. Factors contributing to uncertainties were analyzed, and a combined averaging method was employed to provide optimized SCF simulations.

SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission blasts off

The expedition, funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman, will attempt the world's first private spacewalk.

Polaris Dawn mission blasts off with plans for first commercial spacewalk

Privately funded five-day mission by four astronauts led by US billionaire launches on SpaceX rocket from Florida

Four astronauts have blasted out of the atmosphere as part of a privately funded five-day mission that aims to carry out the first commercial spacewalk.

Jared Isaacman, the American billionaire founder of the electronic payment company Shift4, is bankrolling the Polaris Dawn mission and acting as commander of the crew.

The Polaris Dawn spacewalk is SpaceX’s ‘risky adventure’

New spacesuits, untested astronauts, and a lot that can go wrong make this five-day mission unusually complex, but with a potentially great reward.

SpaceX launches all-civilian crew for first private spacewalk

SpaceX launched its historic Polaris Dawn mission on Tuesday—an audacious orbital expedition that will catapult civilians into a high-radiation region of space and see them attempt the first-ever spacewalk by non-professional astronauts.

SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn Launch: What to Know and How to Watch

A private mission, scheduled to launch at 3:38 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday after a series of delays, would take people farther from Earth than anyone has traveled since the end of NASA’s Apollo moon missions.

Into the abyss beneath Greenland’s glaciers – podcast

Environment editor Damian Carrington tells Madeleine Finlay about his recent trip to Greenland on board a ship with a group of intrepid scientists. They were on a mission to explore the maelstrom beneath Greenland’s glaciers, an area that has never been studied before, and were hoping to find answers to one of the world’s most pressing questions – how quickly will sea levels rise?

‘Oh my God, what is that?’: how the maelstrom under Greenland’s glaciers could slow future sea level rise

First results of the polar regional climate model RACMO2.4

First results of the polar regional climate model RACMO2.4 Christiaan T. van Dalum, Willem Jan van de Berg, Srinidhi N. Gadde, Maurice van Tiggelen, Tijmen van der Drift, Erik van Meijgaard, Lambertus H. van Ulft, and Michiel R. van den Broeke The Cryosphere, 18, 4065–4088, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4065-2024, 2024 We present a new version of the polar Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO), version 2.4p1, and show first results for Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic. We provide an overview of all changes and investigate the impact that they have on the climate of polar regions. By comparing the results with observations and the output from the previous model version, we show that the model performs well regarding the surface mass balance of the ice sheets and near-surface climate.

Space travel comes with risk—SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission will push the envelope further than ever

Space is an unnatural environment for humans. We can't survive unprotected in a pure vacuum for more than two minutes. Getting to space involves being strapped to a barely contained chemical explosion.

On the importance to consider the cloud dependence in parameterizing the albedo of snow on sea ice

On the importance to consider the cloud dependence in parameterizing the albedo of snow on sea ice Lara Foth, Wolfgang Dorn, Annette Rinke, Evelyn Jäkel, and Hannah Niehaus The Cryosphere, 18, 4053–4064, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4053-2024, 2024 It is demonstrated that the explicit consideration of the cloud dependence of the snow surface albedo in a climate model results in a more realistic simulation of the surface albedo during the snowmelt period in late May and June. Although this improvement appears to be relatively insubstantial, it has significant impact on the simulated sea-ice volume and extent in the model due to an amplification of the snow/sea-ice albedo feedback, one of the main contributors to Arctic amplification.

Summer snow on Arctic sea ice modulated by the Arctic Oscillation

Nature Geoscience, Published online: 06 September 2024; doi:10.1038/s41561-024-01525-y

Scientific history, sampling approach, and physical characterization of the Camp Century subglacial material, a rare archive from beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet

Scientific history, sampling approach, and physical characterization of the Camp Century subglacial material, a rare archive from beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet Paul R. Bierman, Andrew J. Christ, Catherine M. Collins, Halley M. Mastro, Juliana Souza, Pierre-Henri Blard, Stefanie Brachfeld, Zoe R. Courville, Tammy M. Rittenour, Elizabeth K. Thomas, Jean-Louis Tison, and François Fripiat The Cryosphere, 18, 4029–4052, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4029-2024, 2024 In 1966, the U.S. Army drilled through the Greenland Ice Sheet at Camp Century, Greenland; they recovered 3.44 m of frozen material. Here, we decipher the material’s history. Water, flowing during a warm interglacial when the ice sheet melted from northwest Greenland, deposited the upper material which contains fossil plant and insect parts. The lower material, separated by more than a meter of ice with some sediment, is till, deposited by the ice sheet during a prior cold period. 

Hysteresis of idealized, instability-prone outlet glaciers in response to pinning-point buttressing variation

Hysteresis of idealized, instability-prone outlet glaciers in response to pinning-point buttressing variation Johannes Feldmann, Anders Levermann, and Ricarda Winkelmann The Cryosphere, 18, 4011–4028, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4011-2024, 2024 Here we show in simplified simulations that the (ir)reversibility of the retreat of instability-prone, Antarctica-type glaciers can strongly depend on the depth of the bed depression they rest on. If it is sufficiently deep, then the destabilized glacier does not recover from its collapsed state. Our results suggest that glaciers resting on a wide and deep bed depression, such as Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, are particularly susceptible to irreversible retreat. 

Ice viscosity governs hydraulic fracture that causes rapid drainage of supraglacial lakes

Ice viscosity governs hydraulic fracture that causes rapid drainage of supraglacial lakes Tim Hageman, Jessica Mejía, Ravindra Duddu, and Emilio Martínez-Pañeda The Cryosphere, 18, 3991–4009, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3991-2024, 2024 Due to surface melting, meltwater lakes seasonally form on the surface of glaciers. These lakes drive hydrofractures that rapidly transfer water to the base of ice sheets. This paper presents a computational method to capture the complicated hydrofracturing process. Our work reveals that viscous ice rheology has a great influence on the short-term propagation of fractures, enabling fast lake drainage, whereas thermal effects (frictional heating, conduction, and freezing) have little influence.

How Earth's most intense heat wave ever impacted life in Antarctica

An atmospheric river brought warm, moist air to the coldest and driest corner of the planet in 2022, pushing temperatures 70 degrees above average. A new study reveals what happened to Antarctica's smallest animals.

Scientists uncover hidden source of snow melt: Dark brown carbon

Researchers have quantified the effect of dark brown carbon on snow melt.

Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson kept in Greenland jail

Japan has been seeking the arrest of Paul Watson over an incident in Antarctic waters in 2010.

Photosynthesis in near darkness

Photosynthesis can take place in nature even at extremely low light levels. This is the result of a study that investigated the development of Arctic microalgae at the end of the polar night. The study shows that photosynthesis in the ocean is possible under much lower light conditions, and can therefore take place at much greater depths, than previously assumed.

A better understanding of climate change: Researchers study cloud movement in the Arctic

Special features of the Arctic climate, such as the strong reflection of the sun's rays off the light snow or the low position of the sun, amplify global warming in the Arctic. However, researchers are often faced with the challenge of modelling the underlying climatic processes in order to be able to provide reliable weather forecasts. Scientists succeeded in precisely measuring the movement of air masses from and to the Arctic. This will contribute to a better understanding of the processes accelerating climate change in the region.

AWI-ICENet1: a convolutional neural network retracker for ice altimetry

AWI-ICENet1: a convolutional neural network retracker for ice altimetry Veit Helm, Alireza Dehghanpour, Ronny Hänsch, Erik Loebel, Martin Horwath, and Angelika Humbert The Cryosphere, 18, 3933–3970, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3933-2024, 2024 We present a new approach (AWI-ICENet1), based on a deep convolutional neural network, for analysing satellite radar altimeter measurements to accurately determine the surface height of ice sheets. Surface height estimates obtained with AWI-ICENet1 (along with related products, such as ice sheet height change and volume change) show improved and unbiased results compared to other products. This is important for the long-term monitoring of ice sheet mass loss and its impact on sea level rise.

Simulation of Arctic snow microwave emission in surface-sensitive atmosphere channels

Simulation of Arctic snow microwave emission in surface-sensitive atmosphere channels Melody Sandells, Nick Rutter, Kirsty Wivell, Richard Essery, Stuart Fox, Chawn Harlow, Ghislain Picard, Alexandre Roy, Alain Royer, and Peter Toose The Cryosphere, 18, 3971–3990, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3971-2024, 2024 Satellite microwave observations are used for weather forecasting. In Arctic regions this is complicated by natural emission from snow. By simulating airborne observations from in situ measurements of snow, this study shows how snow properties affect the signal within the atmosphere. Fresh snowfall between flights changed airborne measurements. Good knowledge of snow layering and structure can be used to account for the effects of snow and could unlock these data to improve forecasts.

Climate Change Is Making Glacier Tourism More Popular, and Riskier

More tourists are eager to visit vanishing glaciers and ice caves, but warming is also making the sites unstable.

Astronomers investigate the nature of a bright low-mass X-ray binary system

Using various space observatories, astronomers have performed X-ray polarimetric and spectral observations of a bright low-mass X-ray binary known as Serpens X-1. Results of the observational campaign, published August 29 on the preprint server arXiv, provide important insights into the nature of this system.

Why the next pandemic could come from the Arctic — and what to do about it

Nature, Published online: 04 September 2024; doi:10.1038/d41586-024-02830-7

The race to the bottom

With the waning of sunlight, the pace of sea ice loss in the Arctic is slowing, and the seasonal minimum is expected in mid-September. While a new record low is highly unlikely, extent at the beginning of September is below many recent years. Antarctic ice extent is approaching its seasonal maximum and is near last year's record low.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission set to launch early Friday

The SpaceX Polaris Dawn mission, a multiday orbital expedition set to feature the first-ever spacewalk by private citizens, is now scheduled to launch on Friday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Martian polar caps are not created equally—here's why

People have observed the bright Martian poles wax and wane for centuries, but only within the last 50 years have scientists discovered that they are mostly comprised of carbon dioxide cycling in and out of the atmosphere to the rhythm of the seasons. But exactly how this happens is a complex interplay of planetary processes that scientists are continually teasing out.

A decade (2008–2017) of water stable isotope composition of precipitation at Concordia Station, East Antarctica