Scientists Will Freeze Into the Arctic Ice for Research Next year, a crew of up to 18 will drift across the Arctic Ocean in the newTara Polar Stationresearch vessel while collecting data and knowledge about the sea ice and the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic Sea Ice Likely Irrevocably Lost Norwegian Scientists Conclude Researchers have identified the mechanism leading to the rapid collapse of sea ice extent between 2005 and 2007. More ocean heat in ice formation areas in Siberia resulted in weaker ice, which was more prone to being ejected from the Arctic Basin through the Fram Strait. This ice loss is likely irreversible, the study concludes.
IMO Updates Guidelines on Noise Pollution, But no Mandatory Rules for the Arctic The International Maritime Organization took incremental steps to protecting marine environments, including in the Arctic, from noise pollution. The voluntary measures, however, do not go far enough, say environmental groups and the Inuit Circumpolar Council, especially for the Arctic Ocean’s sensitive ecosystem.
The World's Northernmost Island Discovered off Greenland's coast Scientists have discovered what may be the world's northernmost island off Greenland's coast.
Agreement is to Prevent Unregulated Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean The Arctic coastal states and actors like the EU and China have ratified an agreement to prevent unregulated fishing in the high seas of the central Arctic Ocean. The agreement enters into force this week.
Russia considers extended claim to the Arctic seabed Two Russian vessels have collected new data in the Arctic Ocean between Canada, Greenland and the North Pole - far from Russia’s existing claim.
China to Launch Satellite to Monitor Arctic Shipping Routes China shared details about a new satellite providing Arctic waterways monitoring capabilities. The new imaging capabilities will improve safety of navigation in the icy waters along Russia’s Northern Sea Route.
Large Parts of Arctic Ocean See Delayed Refreeze With Sea Ice at Record Low After the Arctic Ocean recorded its second-lowest summer ice minimum last month, conditions have grown worse across the region. Large parts of the Arctic Ocean, which historically should be covered in new sea ice by now, remain largely ice free.
“Small, Invasive Sea Animals may Change the Arctic as We Know it” Are southern species already capable of invading the Barents Sea? Marine biologist Raphaelle Descoteaux works to find out. Together with colleagues at the University of Tromsø she researches small sea animals’ quest to reach the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks to Second-Lowest Extent Amid Record High Temperatures Following the warmest summer on record in the Arctic, just 3.74 million square kilometers of Arctic sea ice remain. This is the second-lowest ice extent since satellite observations began in 1979 and only the second time that sea ice shrank below 4 million square kilometers.
International MOSAiC Arctic Expedition Reaches North Pole The MOSAiC expedition completes another milestone as thePolarsternicebreaker reaches the North Pole. The project now enters its final stage: finding a new ice floe and studying the refreezing of the Arctic Ocean in the Fall.
We Are Not Looking to Bring Security Policy Issues Into the Arctic Council, Says US Official While the Arctic has been seen as a desired area for further hydrocarbon activities by the Trump Administration, the US is also a major contributor to climate and scientific research in the region. – It’s vital to move in tandem with science, says Evan T. Bloom, who has worked with ocean and polar affairs in the State Department for more than two decades.
Canada Makes Substantial Step in Arctic Territory Delimitation, Submits Claim Which Includes North Pole After years of research, the Canadian government submitted a 2100-page report to the United Nations regarding its Arctic continental shelf delimitation.
French Cruise Ship Set to Travel to North Pole in 2021 The Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first icebreaking cruise ship, is scheduled to travel to the North Pole in 2021. While the vessel uses cleaner natural gas and is built to a Polar Class 2 standard, questions surrounding passenger safety and environmental impact remain.
Arctic Ocean Biodiversity Hotspot for Viruses Three-and-a-half-year global study aboard single schooner finds surprising viral diversity in Arctic Ocean.
Scientists Look to Pacific Ocean to Narrow Down Timeline of Ice-Free Arctic Climate scientists say the Arctic Ocean will likely be ice-free in the coming decades. Now a new study aims to make a more accurate prediction about when this will occur.
Maersk Container Ship Transits Arctic Ocean With Icebreaker Escort Danish shipping giant Maersk is about to complete the first-ever transit of the Arctic Ocean by a container ship. The Venta Maersk traveled through ice-covered waters with the help of a nuclear icebreaker and is expected in Europe within a week.
