A study by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst claims to have uncovered a significant impact of atmospheric blocking on the rapid melting of Arctic ice, particularly in the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

The research, published in Nature Communications, explained how the meteorological phenomenon has contributed to extreme weather events and accelerated warming trends in the region.

The researchers said that Arctic Amplification, the phenomenon where the Arctic warms faster than the global average, has been well-documented.

However, they said that 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 said they used powerful computer modelling and on-the-ground research to examine paleoclimatic data spanning the past 2,000 years.

They claimed to have found that lake sediments from Lake Linee on Svalbard's west coast played a crucial role in reconstructing past climate conditions.

These sediments, they added, have been monitored meticulously since 2012 and have provided valuable insights into historic warm and wet periods, particularly during intense rainfall events.

They traced the impact of atmospheric blocking on rainfall patterns over millennia by analyzing calcium levels in the sediment cores.

They claimed it revealed a striking correlation between historic extreme weather events and atmospheric blocking over Scandinavia and the Ural Mountains.

Ultimately, they claimed that 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 said there is the potential for intensified floods and natural hazards in Svalbard in the future.

Francois Lapointe, the study's lead author, said there is a need for continued monitoring of atmospheric blocking patterns as the Arctic continues to warm.