Posts by Heather McFarland
Newsletter introduces Ikaaġvik Sikukun—ice bridges—project in Kotzebue Sound
The Ikaaġvik Sikukun project is excited to share their spring 2019 newsletter. Ikaaġvik Sikukun —Iñupiaq for ice bridges— is a research effort in Kotzebue, Alaska that connects the community with scientists to understand sea ice change in Kotzebue Sound. The newsletter was distributed to mailbox holders in Kotzebue! Read the Spring 2019 newsletter to learn…
Fresh Eyes on Ice monitors lake and river ice across Alaska
A new lake and river ice-monitoring project led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks gets kids involved in science while promoting ice safety and a better understanding of changing winter conditions. Fresh Eyes on Ice is an observing network that explores the curious and fascinating aspects of frozen water and its role in the environment…
Southern Ocean acidification puts marine organisms at risk
New research indicates that acidification of the Southern Ocean will cause a layer of water to form below the surface that corrodes the shells of some sea snails, an outcome that could disrupt marine food webs. University of Colorado Boulder and University of Alaska Fairbanks researchers collaborated on the study, which was published today in…
Arctic change is impacting lower latitudes
A new, short article written for the public compiles evidence that the footprint of Arctic change is expanding. “People in other places may not have a full understanding that as the Arctic becomes disrupted the number of social and environmental systems in lower latitudes that are affected is growing,” said co-author Amy Lovecraft from the…
Translating weather for Alaska’s Iditarod sled dog race
Image courtesy of Krista Heeringa An Iditarod sled dog team travels along a frozen river. The man who interprets weather data for Alaska will provide daily forecasts for the 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Rick Thoman, a climate specialist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is slated to share current weather updates and historic…
Data manager/analyst position opening
The UAF International Arctic Research Center (IARC) and the Scenarios Network for Alaska + Arctic Planning (SNAP) seek a Data Manager/Analyst to help develop an Arctic Data Collaborative to highlight and apply high impact datasets to solve real world issues. You will contribute to projects aimed at helping the nation and the world understand and…
IARC researcher receives prestigious award
John Walsh was recently honored with the Walter Orr Roberts Lecturer award for his contributions to the atmospheric sciences. Walsh, the chief scientist at the International Arctic Research Center, has dedicated his career to evaluating climate change impacts in the Arctic. The Walter Orr Roberts lecturer is chosen annually based on nominations. According to the…
Understanding Bering Sea changes requires new partnerships
University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists presented their work at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting in Washington D.C. last week. Here are some research highlights from the world’s largest Earth and space science meeting. Later freeze-up. Warmer surface water. Shifting walrus diets. Less cold water to serve as refuge for young fish. Changing pollock distribution.…
Wind and wave modeling supports energy infrastructure in Alaska
University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists presented their work at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting in Washington D.C. last week. Here are some research highlights from the world’s largest Earth and space science meeting. University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist Peter Bieniek is predicting wind speed to guide development of a potential oil and gas project…
Science and art illustrate changing marine Arctic ecosystem
A recent study led by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists Claudine Hauri and Seth Danielson is combining art and science to characterize the Chukchi Sea, a rapidly changing ecosystem off northwestern Alaska. The Chukchi Ecosystem Observatory is the first Arctic monitoring site to continuously and simultaneously measure a large suite of biological, chemical and physical characteristics of…