. | . |
Climate change to fuel extreme waves in Arctic by Brooks Hays Washington DC (UPI) Jul 07, 2020 Extreme waves in the Arctic are likely to become bigger and more frequent as a result of climate change, according to a new study by scientists in Canada. For the study, published Tuesday in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, researchers at Environment and Climate Change Canada, a publicly funded scientific agency, ran a pair of Arctic wave simulations. One model relied historical data from 1979 to 2005, while the other used climate change forecasts to predict Arctic wave patterns from 2081 to 2100. The simulations, which considered the affects of climate change on surface winds and sea ice patterns, showed the height of the region's highest waves, called extreme waves, could double or triple in size by the end of the century. "Sea ice retreat plays an important role, not just by increasing the distance over which wind can blow and generate waves but also by increasing the chance of strong winds to occur over widening ice-free waters," lead study author Mercè Casas-Prat said in a news release. The prediction models showed waves are likely to increase by an average of 6.6 feet across the entirety of the Arctic, and that the extreme wave events could occur as often as every two to five years. Currently, extreme wave events happen an average of once every 20 years. "It increases the risk of flooding and erosion. It increases drastically almost everywhere," said Casas-Prat, a research scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada's Climate Research Division. "This can have a direct impact to the communities that live close to the shoreline." Scientists relied on five different multi-model simulations of oceanic and atmospheric conditions to generate their wave forecasts. While the models produced a range of outcomes, all of the models showed wave heights in the Arctic will increase if carbon emissions are significantly curbed. The simulations predicted the Greenland Sea will experience the most dramatic increases in wave height. The models suggest extreme waves cresting in the waters between Greenland and the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard will be as much as 20 feet taller by 2100. Simulations also showed extreme waves are likely to arrive later in the year. "At the end of the century, the maximum will on average come later in the year and also be more extreme," Casas-Prat said. Judah Cohen, a climatologist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who wasn't involved in the study, said present-day observations along the Arctic coast reflect the predictions made by the new simulations. "We are already seeing these increased risks along Arctic coastlines with damage to coastline structures that previously were never damaged," he said. As part of the study, Casas-Prat and colleague Xiaolan L. Wang analyzed research wave height changes in the Beaufort Sea along the coasts of northern Alaska and Canada. The region, which is host to several coastal communities, as well as energy infrastructure, has experienced significant wave height increases in recent years. In addition to accelerating erosion and damaging coastal structures, taller Arctic waves and more frequent and extreme flooding can also push saltwater into freshwater lagoons that coastal communities rely on, researchers said. As bigger waves become more common, they could also accelerate the demise of sea ice, which a number of species, including polar bears, rely on, according to the researchers.
Sea turtles find protection from Senegal fishermen Joal-Fadiouth, Senegal (AFP) July 3, 2020 In a classic case of "poacher turning gamekeeper", the fishermen of Senegal have joined forces to protect one of the ocean's most endangered species - the sea turtle. Three species can be found on the Senegal coast in west Africa. The most populous is the green turtle and they are joined by the loggerhead and leatherhead which can weigh over 600 kilogrammes. They are all beautiful creatures but each is threatened by pollution, poaching and, even now, the fishing net. "Once we were the bigg ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |