Svalbard and Jan Mayen - June 3, 2024

A groundbreaking study led by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has uncovered the significant impact of atmospheric blocking on the rapid melting of Arctic ice, particularly in the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

Arctic Amplification, the phenomenon where the Arctic warms faster than the global average, has been well-documented. However, since 1991, Svalbard has experienced a warming trend double that of the broader Arctic, resulting in alarming consequences such as ice loss, heavy rainfall, and landslides. Seeking to understand the underlying causes behind Svalbard's accelerated warming, the research team turned to paleoclimatic data spanning the past 2,000 years, powerful computer modeling, and on-the-ground research.

Lake sediments from Lake Linne on Svalbard's west coast played a crucial role in reconstructing past climate conditions. These sediments, monitored meticulously since 2012, provided valuable insights into historic warm and wet periods, particularly during intense rainfall events. By analyzing calcium levels in the sediment cores, researchers traced the impact of atmospheric blocking on rainfall patterns over millennia.

The study revealed a striking correlation between historic extreme weather events and atmospheric blocking over Scandinavia and the Ural Mountains. Atmospheric blocking occurs when a high-pressure system becomes stationary over a specific region, causing warmer, moister air from the mid-Atlantic Ocean to be drawn into the Arctic. This, coupled with a low-pressure system over Greenland, triggers heavy rainfall in Svalbard. With observational data showing an increase in Arctic blocking alongside warming trends, the study underscores the potential for intensified floods and natural hazards in Svalbard's future.

Francois Lapointe, lead author of the study, emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of atmospheric blocking patterns as the Arctic continues to warm.