A wrinkle beneath the icy face of Alaska

A wrinkle beneath the icy face of Alaska

A few days ago, the forces beneath Alaska rattled people within a 500-mile radius: A magnitude 7 earthquake ripped under Hubbard Glacier. The earthquake’s main shock and aftershocks have revealed something else — a possible slash across the face of Alaska long buried by glacial ice, a feature that professionals speculated upon decades ago. Before […]

Research offers defense against energized space electrons

Research offers defense against energized space electrons

 Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is advancing the ability to quickly clean up Earth’s radiation belts from a flood of energetic electrons created by an extraordinary solar blast or a nuclear explosion in space. Many of these incoming electrons become trapped in the Earth’s outer radiation belt and can damage […]

UAF study links beaver expansion to faster Arctic thaw

UAF study links beaver expansion to faster Arctic thaw

The climate-driven spread of beaver ponds in Alaska’s Arctic accelerates the effects of a warming environment by causing pond-adjacent permafrost to thaw and by increasing the amount of liquid water present during winter. Those are the key findings of the first comprehensive, on-the-ground assessment of the northward migration of beavers. The research was led by […]

Triple solar blast sets stage for active aurora show

Triple solar blast sets stage for active aurora show

An unusual triple whammy of solar outbursts, including one scientists call a cannibal, began hitting Earth this afternoon and is likely to  bring the curtain up on spectacular aurora performances starting tonight. Events like this bring a risk of radio blackouts and satellite damage, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric […]

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