Search

The article "Frozen planet" from New Scientist showcases stunning images of ice formations and landscapes from around the world. The images capture the beauty and diversity of the cryosphere, which includes glaciers, ice sheets, permafrost, and snow cover. The photographs highlight unique ice formations in Switzerland, snow distribution in Bryce Canyon, ancient rocks in Greenland, and a glacial tunnel in Switzerland's Vadret da Morteratsch glacier. The images celebrate the natural wonders of our frozen planet. [Extracted from the article]

The article from Travel & Leisure explores the author's journey through Norway in December, highlighting experiences in Oslo, Flåm, Bergen, and Tromsø. The family's trip was inspired by their son's fascination with Scandinavia, leading them to snowshoe hikes, scenic train rides, floating saunas, and northern lights viewing. The narrative captures the beauty of Norway's winter landscapes, local traditions, and the delicate balance between tourism and preserving the region's authenticity. [Extracted from the article]

"A History of Iceland as Told by the Foxes" is a poetic and metaphorical exploration of the history of Iceland through the perspective of foxes. The text describes the evolution of the landscape, from ice and snow to beaches, groves, and valleys, highlighting the interactions between nature and animals. The narrative also touches on themes of survival, loss, and human impact on the environment, presented in a lyrical and evocative style. [Extracted from the article]

Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts hosts an annual Christmas by Candlelight celebration, where historical buildings are illuminated by lanterns and candles. Despite historical inaccuracies, the event aims to capture the magic of the season. Families explore the village, participate in crafts, and enjoy peaceful entertainment in a quiet and calm atmosphere. Other similar events in the region include the Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke in New Hampshire and Lantern Light Village at Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut. [Extracted from the article]

A flip through a contemporary HVAC textbook shows that Gorrie's discoveries are usually credited to innovators who based their work on his idea, but rarely to Gorrie himself. Had Gorrie lived, he would have seen one of his biggest dreams come true: Hospitals could now treat every patient suffering from surgical wounds, broken bones or fever with ice. There is at least one institution - beyond the museum - that credits Gorrie's achievements: The National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., which houses the doctor's first working ice-making machine prototype and his original patents. For nearly 10 years, Gorrie worked with Green to administer experimental treatments to ease patients' symptoms. [Extracted from the article]

Views Aperture Frozen planet Michael Hambrey & Jürg Alean Papadakis Publisher Liz Else A GIANT, impossible icicle. Starkly exposed mountain slopes. Billion-year-old rocks behind a lone iceberg. And the view [...]

Views Aperture Frozen planet Michael Hambrey & Jürg Alean Papadakis Publisher Liz Else A GIANT, impossible icicle. Starkly exposed mountain slopes. Billion-year-old rocks behind a lone iceberg. And the view [...]

A disturbing new video shows 13 years of melt at the Greenland Ice Sheet. The video was stitched together based on NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) satellite data. The [...]

REGULARS BACKCHAT Mike Rutherford I THOUGHT I knew a bit about driving and parking up in extreme conditions. I’ve successfully steered myself over the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, the [...]

The Cryogenian 'Sturtian' snowball Earth glaciation (c. 717–658 Ma) likely had a major role in shaping continental landscapes and biotic radiations of the late Neoproterozoic Era. However, an incomplete sedimentary record and inadequate syn-glacial age constraints make Cryogenian studies challenging. We present detrital zircon U–Pb ages for >2000 zircons from 11 sandstone samples taken at <200 m stratigraphic resolution throughout the Port Askaig Formation, a c. 1.1 km thick glaciogenic succession within the Dalradian Supergroup of Scotland and Ireland. Eight new maximum depositional age constraints, including a key constraint on deglaciation (<662.7 ± 7.8 Ma), support lithostratigraphic and stable isotope evidence that suggests the Port Askaig Formation preserves a relatively complete record of the global 'Sturtian' glaciation. An increasing contribution from Archean and Paleoproterozoic detritus to the sandstones through the lower c. 500 m of the Port Askaig Formation likely reflects the progressive glacial unroofing of the previously buried Lewisian Gneiss terrane. Archean and Paleoproterozoic grains then become scarce in the uppermost c. 300 m of the formation, which we attribute to glacial modification of the Laurentian continental margin landscape during the waning stage of 'Sturtian' glaciation. The disruption to sediment transport pathways caused by this modification, and evidenced by the detrital zircon data, points to partially warm-based 'Sturtian' ice sheets that were, to some degree, dynamic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "FRANKLIN & NANTAHALA NORTH CAROLINA" highlights the outdoor adventure opportunities in the communities of Franklin and Nantahala, located in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, rivers, waterfalls, and scenic byways in what is described as Nature's Paradise. Winter brings a peaceful quiet to the region, with occasional snowfall creating magical winter days for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, the area offers opportunities for vertical ice climbing at Winding Stair Gap for those seeking a serious adventure. [Extracted from the article]

Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen creates surreal and sculptural garments that blur the line between fashion and art. Her designs, worn by celebrities like Björk and Beyonce, often draw inspiration from natural phenomena and biological systems. Van Herpen's work is characterized by its malleability and movement, using technological materials and methods to recreate fleeting moments of nature. Her solo exhibition, "Sculpting the Senses," featuring a hundred of her dresses and related objects, has made its way to the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. Van Herpen's designs, particularly those inspired by water, evoke a sense of enchantment and allure, reminiscent of the novel "The Ice Palace" by Tarjei Vesaas. [Extracted from the article]

The article centers on the SWAIS2C project, exploring how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet responds to two degree Celsius warming. It discusses drilling challenges, technological advancements like the AIDD (Antarctic Intermediate Depth Drill) system, logistical complexities in Antarctica, achievements in core sample recovery, setbacks with equipment, and plans for future research to better grasp WAIS dynamics under climate change.

After six years of exhaustive research, scientists have published their prognosis for the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, known as the “Doomsday Glacier.” The outlook, they say, is “grim.” The group, [...]

REGULARS / TIPPING POINTS THE BIG QUESTION — What tipping point are climate scientists most worried about? Collapsing ice sheets, loss of the Amazon rainforest, melting permafrost… Key parts of [...]

Alison George A SIX-YEAR investigation into the vast Thwaites glacier in Antarctica has found that the outlook is grim. Often dubbed the “doomsday glacier”, this huge mass of ice is [...]

News / Global warming ‘Doomsday’ glacier is headed for a calamitous collapse Alison George A SIX-YEAR investigation into the vast Thwaites glacier in Antarctica has found that the outlook is [...]

​​Antarctica, which is nearly four times the size of the United States, is almost entirely covered by a miles-thick layer of ice. But the South Pole hasn't always been frozen. [...]

Byline: Nijhum Rudra Although these robots do not have propulsion, they can easily drift with water currents, assisted by specialized software. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced [...]

Today, nearly (https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/antarct/science/icesheet.jsp#:~:text=The%20essence%20of%20Antarctica%20is,97.6%20percent%20of%20the%20continent.) 98% of Greenland is covered in ice -- but new research suggests it was virtually ice-free less than a million years ago. Over the years, opinion has [...]

James Dinneen WE COULD see a slowdown in ice loss and reduction in sea level rise in coming centuries thanks to the lifting-up of land beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet. However, [...]

News / Environment Rising land under Antarctica could slow sea level rise James Dinneen WE COULD see a slowdown in ice loss and reduction in sea level rise in coming [...]

(CLAUS LUNAU) WATER Is the ocean in contact with the surface of the ice? → Geysers suggest that liquid water is leaving Europe’s ice sheet, but it is uncertain whether [...]

Magnetic field shows water quality 1 The probe’s long mast is the ECM magnetometer, which measures Europa’s magnetic field. This is not caused by the moon itself, but by Jupiter’s [...]

Amazing answers to your curious questions How thick is the ice in the Antarctic? The thickness of Antarctic ice is tough to measure because it's freezing on top and hard [...]

A recent six-year investigation into the Thwaites glacier in Antarctica has revealed concerning findings. Known as the "doomsday glacier," its collapse would raise sea levels by 65 centimeters and trigger a wider loss of the ice sheet over West Antarctica, resulting in a sea level rise of 3.3 meters. The glacier is particularly vulnerable due to its resting on a bed of rock below sea level and being melted from the underside by warmer seawater. Researchers predict that Thwaites glacier and much of the West Antarctic ice sheet could be lost by the end of the 23rd century. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study in Geophysical Research Letters has produced a new map that reveals the hidden geological features of Greenland beneath its ice sheets. The map suggests that Greenland's landmass is not uniform and contains three previously unidentified geological regions. Understanding the geology of Greenland can improve GPS accuracy, predict ice-sheet stability, and aid in mineral exploration. The researchers used various data sources, including changes in gravity, magnetism, crust thickness, and seismic-wave transmission, to create the map. Further research and advancements in technology are expected to enhance future mapping efforts. [Extracted from the article]

"Breaking the Ice: Antarctica, climate change and me" by David Vaughan is a captivating memoir that explores the author's experiences studying the dynamics of the Antarctic ice for nearly 40 years. Vaughan's work sheds light on the potential consequences of the melting ice, including a significant rise in sea levels. The memoir also delves into Vaughan's personal journey, including his battle with cancer. This book offers a unique perspective on the challenges of working in remote and harsh environments and provides valuable insights into the urgent issue of climate change. [Extracted from the article]

A recent discovery of plant resin on the island of Waigeo in eastern Indonesia suggests that humans were living there at least 55,000 years ago, providing insight into the migration route to Australia. While genetic evidence suggests a more recent arrival to Australia, archaeological evidence points to an earlier arrival. The geography of the region at the time, with lower sea levels, allowed for two possible routes to Australia: a northern route through Borneo, Sulawesi, and New Guinea, and a southern route through Java, Bali, and Timor. The resin found on Waigeo supports the theory that humans used the northern route. This discovery adds to the growing evidence that the northern route was the primary path to Australia, as it had easier sea crossings. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study suggests that the rising land beneath Antarctica's ice sheet could potentially slow down the rate of sea level rise in the future. As the ice melts and reduces the weight on the continent, the land beneath rebounds, which could slow the flow of the ice sheet into the sea. However, this effect is dependent on emissions levels. Under a low-emissions scenario, the rebounding land could reduce global sea level rise by over half a meter by 2500, but under a high-emissions scenario, it could contribute an additional 0.8 meters to sea level rise by the same year. The study highlights the importance of emissions reduction in determining the future impact of rising land on sea level rise. [Extracted from the article]

Philip and Shiva, first-time adventurers, embarked on an overlanding trip across Iceland in their Land Rover Defender with their toddler, Kai. Despite initial doubts and concerns from others, they booked a two-and-a-half week expedition with OneLife Adventure. The trip took them through remote and breathtaking landscapes, including glaciers, lava fields, and fjord crossings. They found that their toddler adapted well to the adventure, and the experience allowed them to reflect on the type of parents they want to be. They plan to continue their overlanding adventures with their Land Rover and their son. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the author's early spring beaver trapping experiences, emphasizing the importance of specific set locations during high and cold water conditions. Topics include the significance of outside bends, points of land, and the author's reliance on castor sets, particularly in steep banks with fast water.

Accurate estimates of past topography are required to reliably reconstruct past ice sheets to infer palaeoclimate. For this reason, understanding erosion rates across East Greenland is crucial to constrain landscape evolution driven by tectonics and climate-dependent erosion rates. Here we analyse published apatite fission-track (AFT) data to constrain the spatial pattern of AFT bedrock ages across the landscape. We compare these bedrock ages with published detrital distribution to highlight ambiguity in the pattern of erosion. In contrast to earlier work, we regress a simple model of exhumation pace through the bedrock ages such that age can vary as a function of both elevation and position. The resulting iso-age surfaces allow us to determine potential source areas for detrital AFT age distributions. We find that old ages observed in detrital distributions are just as likely to be sourced from low-elevation locations that are far from the coast as from high-elevation locations close to the coast. Additional data from lower temperature systems are thus required to make firm conclusions on landscape evolution in the region and distinguish between the two landscape-forming scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article from Alpinist Magazine recounts the author's experiences attempting to climb the north face of Jannu, a mountain in eastern Nepal. The author and their climbing partner faced challenges and warnings from locals about the dangers of the peak. Despite the risks, they embarked on the climb but had to turn back due to bad weather and lack of acclimatization. The article also mentions the author's subsequent attempt with a third climber on Denali's south face. The team faces challenges but eventually successfully completes a challenging route and plans to climb Jannu in the future. They reflect on the significance of their achievements and express gratitude for the support they received. [Extracted from the article]

Narwhals, often referred to as the "unicorns of the sea," are real creatures that live in the freezing-cold waters of the Arctic. They have whale bodies and long, pointed tusks that grow out of the left side of their upper lip. While there have been many theories about the purpose of their tusks, scientists have discovered that they are covered in millions of tiny openings that lead to nerves, suggesting that they may be super sensitive and used to gather information about the water around them. The main purpose of the tusks is believed to be attracting mates, as males with the biggest tusks tend to have more success in mating. However, young narwhals and most females do not have tusks and still thrive. Studying narwhals is challenging due to their elusive nature and the harsh conditions of their habitat, leading to many mysteries still surrounding these fascinating creatures. [Extracted from the article]

Alaska is renowned for its skiing, and two new exclusive-use chalets, Sheldon Chalet and Eagle's Nest, are enhancing the accommodations and dining options available. These luxurious properties offer access to Alaska's breathtaking mountains and provide a range of activities, including skiing, heli-skiing, and backcountry skiing on glaciers. The lodges boast stunning views and cater to a specific subset of snow enthusiasts, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. The article also touches on the history of skiing in Alaska and the popularity of these lodges among outdoor enthusiasts. Prices for a stay at Sheldon Chalet range from $96,000 to $192,500 for three nights, while a week of heli-skiing at Eagle's Nest Lodge costs $42,000 per person for up to six people. [Extracted from the article]

If you think venturing off the grid--to Greenland, say--means roughing it, we have some news for you. Welcome to the swank new world of expedition cruising. My first sighting of [...]

QUICK FACTS Name: Dragon's Eye Location: Uttakleiv Beach, Lofoten Islands, Norway Coordinates: (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dragon's+Eye/@68.2099664,13.4952952,674m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x45de0d01570ce97f:0x9e284d0ec0727003!8m2!3d68.2098708!4d13.4997772!16s%2Fg%2F11s379pq7q?entry=ttu) 68.20987277137073, 13.499777198454572 Why it's incredible: White sand, algae and a big boulder give this natural landform its [...]

Geologistsdigging into the massive ice sheet ofWest Antarctica have discoveredthe remains ofan ancient river system that once flowed for nearly a thousand miles. The discovery offers a glimpse into the [...]

India, May 27 -- Climatic changes in Antarctica like melting of Antarctic ice sheets & resulting rising sea levels, could have a profound impact on geopolitics in Indo-Pacific The Antarctic [...]

Otherworldly Antarctica: Ice Rock and Wind at the Polar Extreme Edmund Stump The University of Chicago Press, 2024 168 pages, $28.00 BEGINNING IN 1970, geologist Edmund Stump spent four decades [...]

This article from Ontario Out of Doors discusses strategies for ice fishing in areas with aquatic vegetation. The author explains that certain types of vegetation can attract a variety of fish species, such as yellow perch, crappie, walleye, northern pike, and more. They provide tips on when and where to find fish near vegetation, including drop-offs, deep flats, and basins. The article also offers advice on lure selection and techniques for fishing in and around weedbeds. Additionally, it mentions that late ice can see a return of fish to vegetation, and highlights the importance of safe ice fishing practices. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "MIRA on the Ice," follows the story of a 12-year-old girl named Mira who accompanies her uncle and other scientists on a research expedition to the Great Ice Sheet. The scientists are investigating the widening of a channel that connects two island nations, and Mira is eager to join them as she aspires to become a scientist herself. While collecting specimens of cold-hardy insects and bugs, Mira gets caught in a sudden storm and comes face to face with an ice lynx, a creature believed to be extinct. However, she hesitates to capture the lynx and instead releases the specimens she collected, realizing the importance of preserving the natural world. The article highlights Mira's sense of wonder and her connection to the environment, emphasizing the beauty and fragility of the ice sheet. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the impact of global warming on emperor penguins in Antarctica. The melting and breaking apart of the ice sheets that the penguins rely on for breeding has led to population crashes and a decline in their numbers. The loss of sea ice also affects the marine food web, as it reduces the availability of krill, which is a crucial food source for many species. The plight of the emperor penguin has led to its classification as a threatened species, and scientists believe that without significant changes, the species may face extinction in the future. [Extracted from the article]

Glaciers are increasingly being seen as fragile bodies that require human attention and care due to their importance in supporting human thriving. Glacially fed rivers provide drinking water and support fisheries and hydropower plants, particularly in Asia. With global temperatures rising, there is a growing interest in cryoengineering, or the design of interventions to mitigate the loss of ice mass and rising sea levels. However, there is debate among glaciologists about the feasibility and potential consequences of these interventions. In addition to cryoengineering, there is also a movement to design memorials for glaciers lost to climate change, emphasizing human-nonhuman reconciliation and intergenerational ethics. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on idyllic destinations, ranging from secluded lakeshores to coastal hideaways, offering a refreshing break with water activities, beachcombing adventures, and opportunities to embrace winter, including ice fishing and exploring frozen waterfalls. It mentions the southern Appalachian Mountains, Franklin and Nantahala provide rich outdoor adventure opportunities, and despite the limited snow.