Study reveals climate change impact on Antarctic penguins
Phys.org, 2019-12-04
Antarctic penguins have been on the forefront of climate change, experiencing massive changes to their natural habitat as the world’s temperatures and human activity in the region have increased. Now, new research has revealed how penguins have dealt with more than a century of human impacts in Antarctica and why some species are winners or …
Seawater softening of suture zones inhibits fracture propagation in Antarctic ice shelves
Nature, 2019-12-02
Suture zones are abundant on Antarctic ice shelves and widely observed to impede fracture propagation, greatly enhancing ice-shelf stability. Using seismic and radar observations on the Larsen C Ice Shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula, we confirm that such zones are highly heterogeneous, consisting of multiple meteoric and marine ice bodies of …
Antarctic ice sheets could be at greater risk of melting than previously thought
Phys.org, 2019-12-02
Heat from the landmass beneath the Antarctic ice sheet is a major contributor to the way that glaciers melt and flow—and their impact on potential sea level rise. Hotter conditions allow meltwater to lubricate the base of the glacier, accelerating its movement and the rate of ice loss. However, because of the environmental, logistical and …
Climate change: Study underpins key idea in Antarctic ice loss
BBC, 2019-12-02
“It’s fantastic to see how useful satellite data and models can be when used together,” he told BBC News. “Although most of the ice dynamical imbalance in West Antarctica and at the Antarctic Peninsula is clearly linked to ice shelf melting, there is not much evidence of the same in East Antarctica – which suggests Totten Glacier, for example …
First Evidence of Key Antarctic Ice Loss Driver Uncovered
Newsweek, 2019-12-02
The Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS)—the largest single mass of ice on Earth, covering about 98 percent of the southern continent—is currently losing mass. And the rate at which this mass loss is contributing to sea-level rise is increasing. The AIS is encircled by floating, sea-based ice shelves that surround the continent and help hold the land …
We Need to Protect Antarctic ‘Blue Carbon’
Wired, 2019-12-04
This locks carbon out of the atmosphere for millennia or longer, resulting in long-term sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, international governance of the area south of the Antarctic convergence creates a wicked legal problem. It’s the result of the complex history, regime dynamics, and jurisdictional framework of the …
Forty Years On, New Zealand Apologizes for Antarctic Plane Disaster
U.S. News & World Report, 2019-11-28
Forty Years On, New Zealand Apologizes for Antarctic Plane Disaster FILE PHOTO: New Zealand’s Prime Minister Ms. Jacinda Ardern speaks during the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson Reuters WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand Prime Minister …
Australian icebreaker will resupply French Antarctic bases
Nature, 2019-11-26
Australia will transport researchers and vital supplies to France’s Antarctic research stations next month. The stations were in danger of being left without means of obtaining some supplies this summer, after the French navy discovered a critical defect …
Conservation dog stranded on sub-Antarctic island heads home after reunion with owner
Radio New Zealand on MSN.com, 2019-12-04
In a happy ending straight out of homeward bound, Flint, a conservation dog who spent 36 hours alone, muzzled and stranded on a sub-Antarctic island, has been reunited with his owner. The small jack russell fox terrier cross was preparing to leave Campbell Island a week ago when he was spooked by some sea lions and bolted. What followed was a …
60th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty
Maritime Executive, 2019-12-01
The Antarctic Treaty, signed in Washington on December 1, 1959, enshrines Antarctica as a place of peace, science and international cooperation. During the first half of the 20th century, a series of territorial claims were made to parts of Antarctica creating political tension. These tensions were eased by the International Geophysical Year …
Antarctic meteorite theory to be put to the test
BBC, 2019-11-29
University of Manchester scientists have arrived in the Antarctic to look for iron-rich space rocks. They have a theory as to why such meteorites are under-represented in searches on the White Continent. Team leaders Katie Joy and Geoff Evatt spoke with our science correspondent Jonathan Amos as they were about to head south.
Seal Takes Ocean Heat Transport Data to New Depths
NASA, 2019-12-04
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows in a loop around Antarctica, connecting the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. It is one of the most significant ocean currents in our climate system because it facilitates the exchange of heat and other properties among the oceans it links. But how the current transfers heat, particularly vertically …
Forty Years On, New Zealand Apologizes for Antarctic Plane Disaster
U.S. News & World Report, 2019-11-28
Forty Years On, New Zealand Apologizes for Antarctic Plane Disaster FILE PHOTO: New Zealand’s Prime Minister Ms. Jacinda Ardern speaks during the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2019. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson Reuters WELLINGTON (Reuters) – New Zealand Prime Minister …
Scientists are watching how Antarctic penguins adapt to availability of food
Metro, 2019-12-02
Gentoo and chinstrap penguins squabbling in the snow at a breeding colony along the Antarctic Peninsula. (PA) Penguins in the Antarctic are attempting to adapt to huge changes in their habitat due to the effects of climate change. Now a team of scientists are watching closely how they deal with varying availability of krill – one of their …
Conservation dog stranded on sub-Antarctic island heads home after reunion with owner
Radio New Zealand on MSN.com, 2019-12-04
In a happy ending straight out of homeward bound, Flint, a conservation dog who spent 36 hours alone, muzzled and stranded on a sub-Antarctic island, has been reunited with his owner. The small jack russell fox terrier cross was preparing to leave Campbell Island a week ago when he was spooked by some sea lions and bolted. What followed was a …
Climate change splits two penguin species into winners and losers
Nature, 2019-12-03
Populations of a picky species of Antarctic penguin have plummeted as a less-fussy species has prospered, showing that even closely related species respond differently to the effects of climate change. Michael Polito at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and his colleagues analysed the chemistry of penguin feathers from museums for clues …
Deep low flinging Antarctic air toward NZ, with downpours, gales sticking around til Sunday
Stuff.co.nz, 2019-12-04
The deep low deep in the Southern Ocean that is cursing many southern and central areas with huge amounts of rain and ferocious winds is set to hang around until Sunday. A combination of the low to the southwest and a blocking ridge of high pressure to the east has caused a recurring pattern of heavy rain to the west and north of the South …
Gold Coast Antarctic explorer Geoff Wilson becomes the loneliest man on Earth
Australian Broadcasting Corporation on MSN.com, 2019-12-02
Antarctic trekker Geoff Wilson has made it to the furthest point from any ocean — he’s believed to be the first Australian explorer to set foot on the so-called Pole of Inaccessibility. Geoff Wilson is making a 5,500km trip around Antarctica He is using a kite to propel his sleds whenever possible He trained for the journey on Gold Coast …
From the Archives, 1979: Antarctic jet crashes in Mount Erebus disaster
Sydney Morning Herald, 2019-11-27
All 257 people on board an Air New Zealand DC-10 which crashed in the Antarctic yesterday are believed dead. An airline official last night abandoned hope of finding survivors. The jet, Carrying 237 passengers and 20 crew, slammed into 14,000-foot Mount Erebus at about 2500 feet during a scenic flight to the South Pole. A US Navy Hercules …
Study looks at impact of krill availability on Antarctic penguins
PA Media on MSN.com, 2019-12-02
Penguins in the Antarctic have seen climate change and human activity impact their natural habitat over the last century. New research indicates how the waddling birds have dealt with these factors and why some species fare better than others. Scientists found that gentoo and chinstrap penguins adapted differently to the varying availability of …