Observations from Alaska Coastal Communities
Description: This project includes observations related to sea ice change, or unusual sea ice conditions. Unusual animal observations in relation to sea ice changes are also of interest.
Location: Coastal Alaska, Arctic Canada, Greenland
Start Date: June 15, 2012
Project Lead: Hajo Eicken, Ph.D., Olivia Lee Ph.D
Funding No additional funding.
Observer Guidance: Observations of sea ice and other forms of coastal ice, hazards or changes in the ice cover and its use by people and animals are of interest. For more detailed observations of freeze-up and the seasonal ice cycle we have developed some additional guidance as protocols on snow and ice observations.
Monitoring Opportunities: For members interested in sea ice research or monitoring activities, the Seasonal Ice Zone Observing Network has a substantial database of past and current community observations on sea ice, weather and ice-related animal observations. The Arctic Alaska Observatory and Knowledge Hub will be continuing community observations on sea ice changes along with ice-related marine mammal observations and sea-ice related measurements. Community sea ice and animal observations during the spring hunting season (April through June) is also shared in the Sea Ice for Walrus Outlook which includes weekly outlooks on ice and weather from the National Weather Service.
Project Updates and Analysis:
Resources:
Arctic Sea Ice News and Analysis
Morbidity and Mortality of Falls Through Ice in Alaska
National Weather Service Alaska Sea Ice Program (ASIP)
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Sea Ice Group
In the Press:
Arctic Newswire (2016-04-07), by Yereth Rosen - Arctic sea ice isn't only sparser; it's younger and thinner too - "Arctic sea ice, which already hit a record low for winter extent this year, is also younger and thinner now than at almost any time since the satellite record was begun in the late 1970s." ADN
The Washington Post (2016-11-03), by Brady Dennis - Here's how much of the Arctic you're personally responsible for melting - "A paper published Thursday in the journal Science, Dirk Notz and a colleague detail the complex set of calculations that allowed them to estimate how much Arctic sea ice melts for every metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Their answer? About 3 square meters." ADN
Lead Organization
UAF, International Arctic Research Center |
Hajo Eicken LeadFairbanks
UAF, International Arctic Research Center
|
Olivia Lee LeadFairbanks Alaska, United States
Research Assistant Professor International Arctic Research Center
UAF, University of Alaska Fairbanks
|
Walls of ice bulldoze ashore from Lake ErieHoover Beach, New York, United States
Feb 25, 2019
CNN
Event
|
No Permanent Winter Ice and Early Break Up For NomeNome, Alaska, United States
Apr 18, 2016
Event
|
Still No Sea IceToksook Bay, Alaska, United States
Mar 1, 2016
Event
|
Late Sea Ice Freeze Bring Together Seals and CaribouKotzebue, Alaska, United States
Nov 11, 2015
Event
|
No Sea IceShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Feb 26, 2015
Event
|
No Sea Ice YetWales, Alaska, United States
Dec 13, 2014
Event
|
Risky Ice for WhalingUtqiagvik, Alaska, United States
Jun 5, 2013
Event
|
Risky Ice Conditions for WhalingUtqiagvik, Alaska, United States
Jun 26, 2013
Event
|
Poor Sea Ice Changes HuntUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
Jan 6, 2013
Event
|
Ice Departure DelayedUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
Jun 15, 2012
Event
|
No Sea IcePort Heiden, Alaska, United States
Jan 7, 2014
Event
|
Sea Ice RescueUtqiaġvik, Alaska, United States
Apr 29, 2014
Event
|
Poor Sea Ice - Our Sea GardenWales, Alaska, United States
May 22, 2013
Event
|
Trapped on Sea IceNome, Alaska, United States
Jan 1, 2013
Event
|
Late Freeze-upElim, Alaska, United States
Jan 1, 2012
Event
|
Dead Spotted (Phoca largha) and Ringed (Pusa hispida) SealsWales, Alaska, United States
Jun 16, 2014
Event
|
Sea Ice - No Sea Ice!?Elim, Alaska, United States
Oct 25, 2016
Event
|
Ice Fishing HazardousGolovin, Alaska, United States
Nov 4, 2013
Event
|
Wind Blew Out the IceElim, Alaska, United States
Dec 19, 2013
Event
|
Open Water in Our OceanShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Dec 30, 2016
Event
|
Coastal Erosion Damaging Boat LaunchPort Heiden, Alaska, United States
Dec 30, 2016
Event
|
Winter Storm Brings Surge of Water and IceGolovin, Alaska, United States
Dec 31, 2016
Event
|
Ice of Change - Amid Waterfowl SightingsDiomede, Alaska, United States
Jan 27, 2017
Event
|
Ice Shelf Off of St George IslandSaint George, Alaska, United States
Apr 3, 2017
Event
|
Changing Sea IceUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
Mar 5, 2013
Event
|
Fast Sea Ice MovementUnalakleet, Alaska, United States
May 21, 2017
Event
|
Open Water Adds to Winter Chill - Part 2Unalakleet, Alaska, United States
Dec 28, 2017
Event
|
High winter winds and warm temperaturesGolovin, Alaska, United States
Jan 13, 2018
Event
|
Arctic in January - No Sea IceShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Jan 18, 2018
Event
|
Ocean Ice Is All GoneShishmaref, Alaska, United States
Feb 22, 2018
Event
|
Thin Sea Ice, Permafrost Thaw, and Earth's Rotational AxisWainwright, Alaska, United States
Mar 30, 2018
Event
|
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) Haul-out On Port Heiden BeachPort Heiden, Alaska, United States
Apr 7, 2018
Event
|