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A 100-meter beaver dam, left, creates a large beaver pond on the Seward Peninsula in western Alaska. A beaver lodge is visible in the pond in this August 2021 photograph. Photo by Ken Tape.

Beaver activity in the Arctic increases emission of methane greenhouse gas

Geophysical Institute
September 7, 2023
The climate-driven advance of beavers into the Arctic tundra is causing the release of more methane — a greenhouse gas — into the atmosphere...
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The research vessel Akademik Tryoshnikov sails in the Arctic Ocean on a 2021 science cruise in the Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System program. A science cruise aboard the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy began in August 2023 to research in the same area. Photo courtesy of Igor Polyakov

New research explains “Atlantification” of the Arctic Ocean

Geophysical Institute
August 31, 2023
New research by an international team of scientists explains what’s behind a stalled trend in Arctic Ocean sea ice loss since 2007. The findings...
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Jakobshavn Glacier calves icebergs into the ocean. Photo by John Sonntag/NASA

UAF scientists heading to Greenland for glacier research, museum project

Geophysical Institute
August 30, 2023
University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists will make several trips to Greenland over two years to study how meltwater and the ocean affect glacial...
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The map shows the worst-case flooding scenario for upper Cook Inlet, based on numerical modeling. Image courtesy of Elena Suleimani, Alaska Earthquake Center; Barrett Salisbury, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys; Dmitry Nicolsky, UAF Geophysical Institute

New analysis finds real, though rare, tsunami threat to upper Cook Inlet

Geophysical Institute
August 16, 2023
Scientists assessing tsunami threats throughout Alaska recently modeled the flooding scenario of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake and discovered...
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The High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility in early June 2022 near Gakona, Alaska. The 33-acre ionospheric research instrument helps researchers study the ionosphere. UAF/GI photo by JR Ancheta

Polar Aeronomy and Radio Science Summer School returns to HAARP

Geophysical Institute
July 28, 2023
More than 50 researchers are in Alaska in August for the resumption of a science summer school that culminates with experiments at the High...
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Graduate student James Campbell installs the sampling inlet for the X-act instrument outside at the Delta Junction network site. Photo courtesy of Jingqiu Mao.

Delta Junction air quality monitoring site comes online in new national network

Geophysical Institute
June 30, 2023
Four science instruments at Delta Junction have begun gathering air quality data as part of a multistate project to determine the chemical...
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The Elvey Building houses the Alaska Satellite Facility, part of the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. UAF Geophysical Institute photo.

NASA awards Alaska Satellite Facility five-year, $70 million contract

Geophysical Institute
June 30, 2023
The Alaska Satellite Facility at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will continue to operate NASA’s Distributed Active Archive Center for...
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Degassing is seen on Pavlof Volcano in July 2017. Photo by Taryn Lopez.

Research reveals sources of CO2 from Aleutian-Alaska Arc volcanoes

Geophysical Institute
June 28, 2023
Scientists have wondered what happens to the organic and inorganic carbon that Earth’s Pacific Plate carries with it as it slides into the planet...
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A sign welcomes visitors for free guided summer tours of the Geophysical Institute, which start at the Elvey Building on UAF's West Ridge. UAF/GI photo by JR Ancheta.

Geophysical Institute, Poker Flat offer free summer tours

Geophysical Institute
June 19, 2023
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is offering free public family-friendly tours through Labor Day. Tours began on Memorial...
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