glaciers Archives - State of the Planet

Cordilleran Ice Sheet Retreat Caused Volcanic Eruptions, Deoxygenation Events 10,000 Years Ago

New research shows that retreat of an ice sheet in the Pacific Northwest led to many volcanic explosions and ocean areas with low oxygen that threatened the health of marine ecosystems.

by |March 8, 2023
mountain peaks partially covered with snow and ice

Glacial Melting in High Mountain Asia Has the Potential to Overwhelm Hydropower Systems

Flooding in the region threatens hydropower projects and the safety of downstream populations.

by |February 10, 2023

COP27 and Its Outcomes for Kyrgyzstan

A Kyrgyz journalist reflects on COP27 and its results for Kyrgyzstan.

by Baktygul Chynybaeva |February 2, 2023

Covering Glaciers With Blankets to Hide the Ice — and the Real Problem

Glacier-saving campaigns are becoming more popular as ice across the globe disappears at an alarming pace. A new analysis examines the actors, motives, and implications of these campaigns in the fight against climate change.

by |January 13, 2023

Reflections on Visits to Pakistan

A conservation biologist writes about his trips to Pakistan over the last 30 years, reflecting on challenges, growth, and connections made over time.

by Marc Foggin |November 30, 2022

Understanding Ice With Lasers: New Tool Helps Researchers Study Remote Glaciers

Researchers at the University of Oregon have created a portable tool that uses lasers to study glacier retreat in remote areas that are typically difficult to reach.

by |October 18, 2022

Study Upsets Models of How Lake Drainage Within Glaciers May Influence Sea Level

Sudden plunges of lake waters from glacial surfaces to ice-sheet beds may not speed up the movement of Greenland’s tidewater glaciers, as previously thought.

by |October 14, 2022

How the Rejected Chilean Constitution Would Have Protected Glaciers

In early September, Chileans voted against adopting a new constitution that, among other wide-ranging provisions, would have provided greater protections for the country’s glaciers.

by Marcos Mendoza |October 6, 2022
polar bear on sea ice

During Low-Ice Seasons, Some Polar Bears Are Turning to Glacier Ice

As warming temperatures melt Arctic sea ice, glaciers act as supplemental habitat for a group of southeast Greenland polar bears looking to hunt during the low-ice season.

by |July 29, 2022

Global Review Assesses Hydropower’s Vulnerability to Climate Change

A new study analyzes the impacts of climate change and variations in water availability on the hydropower sector, a key source of cost-effective renewable energy for many countries around the world.

by |July 28, 2022