Polar bear researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey are only halfway into their annual survey in Alaska and they've already come across nine bears – six in Barrow and 3 in Kaktovik – with signs of alopecia and skin lesions. The muzzle, face, eyes, ears and neck appear most affected, according to a bulletin published Friday by the agency.

The Far North's iconic polar bear appears to have joined the list of Arctic species afflicted with a mystery illness that causes hair loss, lesions and oozing sores. Six in Barrow and three in Kaktovik.

A woman was trapped in a pickup on the Seward Highway on Friday after falling ice crushed the vehicle just south of Anchorage.

According to a report from Peru 21, local fishermen in Lambayeque, north Peru, were first to notice the inexplicable rise in dead dolphin appearing on shore -- averaging roughly 30 per day.

3-20-12 Aleutian avalanche - Akutan, Alaska, USA

The ice formation along the Seward Highway grabbed my interest because it stood out and was rather unusual.

3-17-12 Ice formation on cliffs - Anchorage, Alaska, USA

3-9-12 Barnacles declining - Nanwalek, Alaska, USA

2-22-12 Pressure ice ridges "Vuneqs" - Kwigillingok, Alaska, USA

We found an unusual looking spider or insect.

Late freeze-up of sea ice along the shoreline