The United States is no stranger to bone-chilling winter cold, despite a warming climate. A recent study has shed light on why this phenomenon persists, pointing to two specific patterns in the polar vortex – a swirling mass of cold air high in the stratosphere. These variations can steer extreme cold to different regions of the country, often contradicting broader warming trends.

Researchers from an international team, including Prof. Chaim Garfinkel (Hebrew University), Dr. Laurie Agel and Prof. Mathew Barlow (University of Massachusetts), Prof. Judah Cohen (MIT and Atmospheric and Environmental Research AER), Karl Pfeiffer (Atmospheric and Environmental Research Hampton), and Prof. Jennifer Francis (Woodwell Climate Research Center), have published their findings in Science Advances.

The study reveals that since 2015, the Northwest US has experienced more of these cold outbreaks due to a shift in stratospheric behavior tied to broader climate cycles. In contrast, other regions may experience milder winters. Understanding this relationship can improve long-range forecasting, allowing cities, power grids, and agriculture to better prepare for winter extremes – even as the climate warms overall.

“It’s not just about warming everywhere all the time,” explained the researchers. “Climate change also means more complex and sometimes counterintuitive shifts in where extreme weather shows up.”

The work was funded by a US NSF-BSF grant by Chaim Garfinkel of HUJI and Judah Cohen of AER&MIT, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in addressing global climate challenges.

As glaciers around the world melt at an alarming rate due to climate change, scientists are warning that this may lead to a surge in volcanic eruptions. Research presented at the Goldschmidt Conference in Prague suggests that hundreds of dormant volcanoes could become more active as glacier retreat accelerates. The findings have significant implications for understanding and predicting volcanic activity, particularly in regions with extensive glacial coverage like Antarctica.

The study, led by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, examined six volcanoes in the Chilean Andes, including the dormant Mocho-Choshuenco volcano. By precisely dating previous eruptions and analyzing crystals in erupted rocks, the team found that thick ice cover suppresses the volume of eruptions but allows a large reservoir of silica-rich magma to accumulate beneath the surface. As glaciers melt rapidly at the end of an ice age, this buildup of pressure triggers explosive volcanic eruptions.

Pablo Moreno-Yaeger from the University of Wisconsin-Madison emphasized that “glaciers tend to suppress the volume of eruptions from the volcanoes beneath them. But as glaciers retreat due to climate change, our findings suggest these volcanoes go on to erupt more frequently and more explosively.” This phenomenon is not limited to Iceland, where increased volcanicity has been observed, but could also occur in Antarctica and other continental regions.

While the volcanic response to glacial melting is almost instant in geological terms, the process of changes in the magma system is gradual and occurs over centuries. This gives some time for monitoring and early warning. However, increased volcanic activity could have global climate impacts. In the short term, eruptions release aerosol that can temporarily cool the planet. But with multiple eruptions, the effects reverse.

“Over time the cumulative effect of multiple eruptions can contribute to long-term global warming because of a buildup of greenhouse gases,” said Moreno-Yaeger. “This creates a positive feedback loop, where melting glaciers trigger eruptions, and the eruptions in turn could contribute to further warming and melting.”

The research was funded by the National Science Foundation as part of a grant led by Professor Brad Singer at UW-Madison, and is due to be published in a peer-reviewed journal later this year. The findings have significant implications for understanding and predicting volcanic activity in regions with extensive glacial coverage and could contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change on our planet.

In recent years, climate change has been at the forefront of global concerns, and one of the most critical regions affected by this phenomenon is Antarctica. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds new light on the mechanisms behind the collapse of Antarctic ice shelves, which are crucial for predicting sea level rise in the Northern Hemisphere.

On November 28, 1966, an American aeroplane flew over the Antarctic Peninsula, capturing an aerial photo of the Wordie Ice Shelf. This image, taken just south of the southernmost tip of Chile, marked the beginning of a unique dataset that would provide unparalleled insights into the collapse of ice shelves. The researcher’s analysis of historical aerial photos and satellite data has revealed that melting under the ice where the sea and ice meet is the primary driver of Wordie’s collapse.

The study’s findings have already altered the foundation of scientists’ knowledge about ice shelf collapse, suggesting that these events may be slower than previously thought. However, this longer process will make it even harder to reverse the trend once it has started, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize halting greenhouse gas emissions now rather than sometime in the future.

The consequences of ice shelf collapse are far-reaching and have significant implications for global sea level rise. As the glaciers lose their support, they can begin to float and melt more rapidly, contributing to rising ocean levels. Although Antarctica is far away, areas like Denmark are being affected significantly by sea level rise caused by gravitational forces.

In conclusion, the study’s findings mark a new era of climate adaptation, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the consequences of ice shelf collapse. By prioritizing halting greenhouse gas emissions now rather than sometime in the future, we can reduce the risk of violent sea level rise and mitigate its impact on global communities.