Science Daily

Humanity has become a geological force that is able to suppress the beginning of the next ice age, a study shows. Cracking the code of glacial inception, scientists have found the relation of insolation and carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere to be the key criterion to explain the last eight glacial cycles in Earth history.

Ice sheets may be containing vast reservoirs of methane, adding a new concern regarding rapid ice sheet retreat, report scientists. This is the first comprehensive study that shows that there is a third process that can create, contain and maintain large amounts of gas hydrates: ice sheets.

Ice sheets may be containing vast reservoirs of methane, adding a new concern regarding rapid ice sheet retreat, report scientists. This is the first comprehensive study that shows that there is a third process that can create, contain and maintain large amounts of gas hydrates: ice sheets.

The world's largest canyon may lie under the Antarctic ice sheet, according to analysis of satellite data by a team of scientists.

The world's largest canyon may lie under the Antarctic ice sheet, according to analysis of satellite data by a team of scientists.

New research indicates an ongoing loss of ice on Niwot Ridge and the adjacent Green Lakes Valley in the high mountains west of Boulder is likely to progress as the climate continues to warm.

New research indicates an ongoing loss of ice on Niwot Ridge and the adjacent Green Lakes Valley in the high mountains west of Boulder is likely to progress as the climate continues to warm.

Clouds play a bigger role in the melting of the Greenland ice sheet than was previously assumed. Compared to clear skies, clouds enhance the meltwater runoff by a third, an international team of researchers has discovered.

Clouds play a bigger role in the melting of the Greenland ice sheet than was previously assumed. Compared to clear skies, clouds enhance the meltwater runoff by a third, an international team of researchers has discovered.

Scientists have used soil deposits that form growth rings on rocks to provide a detailed picture of North American climate over a 120,000-year time span.

Scientists have used soil deposits that form growth rings on rocks to provide a detailed picture of North American climate over a 120,000-year time span.

The Northern Sea Route could be an attractive shipping route during Arctic ice-free periods; however, the decline in sea-ice extent could also cause severe weather phenomena, which could disturb ship navigation in turn. The sparse observational network over the Arctic Ocean makes weather and sea-ice forecasts less accurate and increases uncertainties. However, a new article suggests that the quality of weather and sea-ice forecasts can be improved by optimizing the Arctic-observing network.

The Northern Sea Route could be an attractive shipping route during Arctic ice-free periods; however, the decline in sea-ice extent could also cause severe weather phenomena, which could disturb ship navigation in turn. The sparse observational network over the Arctic Ocean makes weather and sea-ice forecasts less accurate and increases uncertainties. However, a new article suggests that the quality of weather and sea-ice forecasts can be improved by optimizing the Arctic-observing network.

A few months ago, researchers reported the surprising discovery that marine creatures living in one Arctic fjord keep busy through the permanently dark and frigid winter months. Now, a report extends this activity to the whole of the Arctic. They also find that, in the absence of any sunlight, it's the moon that drives the vertical migrations of tiny marine animals.

A few months ago, researchers reported the surprising discovery that marine creatures living in one Arctic fjord keep busy through the permanently dark and frigid winter months. Now, a report extends this activity to the whole of the Arctic. They also find that, in the absence of any sunlight, it's the moon that drives the vertical migrations of tiny marine animals.

A direct link has been shown between the greatest increase in Phanerozoic marine biodiversity and the onset of a sudden icehouse. The onset of sudden icehouse conditions during the Mid Ordovician was an abrupt change in climate. Prior to this, Earth was exposed to a prolonged super-greenhouse with sea surface temperatures estimated above 40 degree Celsius, thus, seriously affecting the ability of life to evolve and diversify. The researchers now speculate that the sudden emergence of icehouse conditions brought about fundamental changes in ocean circulation, instigating thermohaline circulation in the oceans.

A new study of how the structure of the ocean has changed since the end of the last ice age suggest that the melting of a vast 'lid' of sea ice caused the release of huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The Greenland ice sheet has traditionally been pictured as a sponge for glacier meltwater, but new research has found it's rapidly losing the ability to buffer its contribution to rising sea levels, say researchers. They have also found that climate change has caused meltwater from lower elevations to run directly into the sea.

Climate-sensitive regions in the north are home to most of the world's lakes. New research shows that these northern freshwaters are critical emitters of methane, a more effective greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

In ice core studies, accurate and precise dating is important to better constrain the timing, sequence, and duration of past climatic events. Two deep ice cores were drilled at different remote dome summits in Antarctica, Dome Fuji and Dome C, and were volcanically synchronized. A total of 1401 volcanic matching points were identified within the past 216 kyr. This work contributes to the establishment of a common time scale for all Antarctic ice cores.