Tag: Watch the Ice
Taku Glacier, once the Juneau Icefield’s last advancing glacier, is now in retreat
A soon-to-be-published research paper will show how climate change is responsible for the glacier’s recent about-face into retreat. But scientists, Juneau-area hunters and residents have seen it coming for decades.
Heavy storms set to hit Northwest Arctic will likely disrupt fragile sea ice
While lower sea ice conditions pose safety and hunting risks, they can also lead to an overall temperature increase for the region.
Researchers to study wildfire, unstable permafrost and rain-in-winter events on urban Alaska
Over the next four years, a collaborative research project aims to take a close look at three natural hazards: wildfire, unstable permafrost, and rain-in-winter events.
Study finds marine mammal viruses are traveling between oceans as sea ice recedes
The study by researchers at the University of California Davis found that, since 2001, there have been various spikes of phocine distemper virus in Steller sea lions, bearded ring seals and various other Arctic marine mammals.
Kuskokwim River freeze-up causes complications for Bethel barge service
Last month, one boat belonging to Alaska Logistics spilled oil and another got stuck, both due to ice.
Chukchi Sea ice coverage reaches record low
With a poor start for ice forming in northern Alaska waters this season, the latest climate forecasts predict sea ice may not reach Western Alaska until December.
As Kotzebue experiences one of its warmest years on record, subsistence hunters contend with shrinking ice
With winter subsistence hunts around the corner, changing sea ice could have major effects on how much hunters are able to harvest this season.
As Arctic ice melts, will the Navy return to Adak?
For the first time in more than 30 years, the Navy staged a joint training exercise on the far-western Aleutian island. Some are hoping it portends a permanent future in the region.
Scientists suspect retreating sea ice is changing the color of Alaska’s tundra
Biologists say early retreating sea ice is potentially causing vegetation productivity changes on the tundra across Alaska and the Arctic. Uma Bhatt, a climate variability...
Below-average sea ice levels expand Arctic shipping options
As of August 31, Arctic sea ice coverage dropped to the third lowest extent on satellite record for that day, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
Heatwave shuts down dog sled tours early on a glacier near Skagway
The tour company moved 240 dogs and 60,000 pounds of equipment from the Denver Glacier above Skagway to camp on the Mendenhall Glacier near Juneau, where they had to scout new, even higher altitude terrain.
In Fairbanks, building a home on permafrost with an uncertain future
When Benesch bought this property back in 1999, he was pretty sure it had permafrost under it, though he didn’t know for certain. Listen now
New study says global models sharply underestimate permafrost emissions
Some scientists said the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, underscores the limitations and uncertainties of climate modeling – and how policymakers might need to take more aggressive steps if they want to keep global temperatures under control. Listen now
State: Permafrost thaw from Arctic broadband projects violated permits
Alaska officials are still trying to sort out the scope of a problem caused by trenching for fiber optic cables owned by GCI and Quintillion, which could threaten the only haul road to the oil fields at Prudhoe Bay, as well as dozens of streams along the way. Listen now
Can Alaska bison help save permafrost? Russian scientists want to find out
Part of the theory is that herd animals pack down snow, freezing the soil much deeper. Other herd effects may also reduce greenhouse gas production. Listen now
New map shows the potential future of permafrost on the North Slope
"We hope that this tool will be useful for engineers who [are] doing some projects in this area, for government thinking about what they should expect, and also for any people who live in Alaska," Vladimir Romanovsky said. Listen now
As permafrost thaws, village cemeteries sink into swamp
Climate change is thawing the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta’s permafrost—and it’s doing more than cracking foundations, sinking roads and accelerating erosion. In some villages, it is turning cemeteries into swamps. Listen now
Runaway melt: Alaska permafrost is thawing even in winter
When you think of carbon emissions, you probably think of the exhaust that comes from your car. But it comes from the ground, too. Listen now
Researchers say Kenai Peninsula permafrost thawing rapidly
Permafrost is thawing at a brisk rate across Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula is no exception. Listen now
Melting permafrost changes Yukon River
A new study shows melting permafrost is changing the chemistry of the Yukon River, just one of many climate-related changes affecting the Yukon and beyond. Listen Now