Ice Mass Change

Rapid climate change in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems is altering the spatio-temporal dynamics and abundance of resources. Whether highly mobile predators can respond and match their movements to changed resource peaks remains largely unclear. In the last decade, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) established a new foraging site in fjords of northern Norway during the winter, outside of their presumed foraging season. We used photographic matching to show that whales first sighted during fall in the Barents Sea foraged in northern Norway from late October to February, staying for up to three months and showing high inter-annual return rates (up to 82%). The number of identified whales increased steadily from 2010 to 2016. Genetic sexing and hormone profiling in both areas suggest higher proportions of pregnancy and a female bias in Norwegian waters. This indicates that the new site may be particularly important for pregnant females, likely to improve body condition before migration. Our results suggest that baleen whales can respond to nutritional opportunities along their migration pathways, in some cases by extending their feeding season. This supports the idea that migrating marine mammals can access novel prey resources as part of their response to environmental changes.

The Greenland GPS Network (GNET) uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to measure the displacement of bedrock exposed near the margins of the Greenland ice sheet. The entire network is uplifting in response to past and present-day changes in ice mass. Crustal displacement is largely accounted for by an annual oscillation superimposed on a sustained trend. The oscillation is driven by earth’s elastic response to seasonal variations in ice mass and air mass (i.e., atmospheric pressure). Observed vertical velocities are higher and often much higher than predicted rates of postglacial rebound (PGR), implying that uplift is usually dominated by the solid earth’s instantaneous elastic response to contemporary losses in ice mass rather than PGR. Superimposed on longer-term trends, an anomalous ‘pulse’ of uplift accumulated at many GNET stations during an approximate six-month period in 2010. This anomalous uplift is spatially correlated with the 2010 melting day anomaly.

In this study, we present a comparison of coincident GRACE and ICESat data over Antarctica. The analysis focused on the secular changes over a 4-year period spanning from 2003 to 2007, using the recently reprocessed and publicly available data sets for both missions. The results show that the two independent data sets possess strong spatial correlations, but that there are several factors that can significantly impact the total derived ice mass variability from both missions. For GRACE, the primary source of uncertainty comes from the modelling of glacial isostatic adjustment, along with the estimates of C 2,0 and the degree one terms. For ICESat, it is shown that assumptions about firn density, rate biases, and the sampling interval of the various laser campaigns can have large effects on the results. Despite these uncertainties, the similarities that do exist indicate a strong potential for the future refinement of both GIA and mass balance estimates of Antarctica.

We have studied how the eccentric orbits of binary neutron stars evolve due to the emission of gravitational waves according to Popov and Imshennik method [1]. We have applied this method to PSR1913+16 binary system. Our results for this system are highly comparable with the latest analysis for that system based on published timing observations from 1974 through 2006 [2].The most important results from our study are: elliptical orbits shrink in size and become near circular at their late stages of evolution while the circular orbits don't change their shapes; and most of the energy due to gravitational radiation emission is lost at high eccentricities near the periastron position.

Whale migration record SIR-We recently confirmed a new longdistance migration record for mammals (apart from Homo sapiens). We found that a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) has migrated from the Antarctic peninsula region (64° 20'S; 62° 27'W) to Colombia (2° 57'N; 78° 12'W). The shortest swimming distance between these locations is more than 8,334 kilometres. We identified the whale at both locations using photographs of the distinctive ventral pigmentation on the tail flukes'. The whale was seen in Antarctica on 19 April and in Colombia on 28 August 1986. This is the first time that a humpback whale has been shown to cross the equator, and the first time an Antarctic humpback whale has been documented in South American waters. This finding has interesting implications for the possibility of migration between hemispheres. The match of pigmentation was found by comparing a catalogue of 32 humpbacks identified from the Antarctic peninsula' and a collection of 86 identified off the coast of Colombia. The whale swam from Antarctica to Colombia in less than 5 months. Following the typical humpback migration strategy of spending summer in high latitudes and winter in low latitudes', this whale probably belongs to a population that feeds in Antarctica and breeds off the coast of Colombia. It is also possible that Antarctic peninsula humpback whales migrate up the eastern side of South America to the coast of Brazil, where there is another breeding ground. The swimming distance from the Antarctic peninsula to this area is shorter by more than 1,800 kilometres than to the Colombian site. This raises the interesting possibility that the Antarctic peninsula feeding grounds may be an area from which humpback whales can cross between the South Pacific Ocean and the South Atlantic Ocean. It is of interest to note that only 1,000 kilometres further north of our Colombian study site there is a site used during the breeding season by humpbacks that feed in the Northern Hemisphere (G. H. Steiger, J. Calambokidis and R. Sears, unpublished data). Despite opposite migration schedules, it might be possible for an occasional individual from the Southern Hemisphere to breed with members of this Northern Hemisphere population. If this also occurred on the east side of South America, it would offer a mechanism for Baker's supposition' that the relatively small genetic distance between the North Pacific and North Atlantic populations could be the result of periodic gene flow between oceans. Although previous research clearly demonstrates that most humpbacks probably do not cross the equator or move between oceans, the NATURE • VOL 346 • 23 AUGUST 1990 possibility that individuals occasionally might do so has important implications for gene flow, population differentiation and population management, and deserves further study.

The most traditional scheme for migration among baleen whales comprises yearly migrations between productive waters at high latitude summer feeding grounds and warmer waters at lower latitudes where whales calve and mate, but rarely feed. Evidence indicates, however, that large departures from this scheme exist among populations and individuals. Furthermore, for some populations there is virtually no information on migratory pathways and destinations. Such is the case of Chilean blue whales throughout the Eastern South Pacific; hence, the goal of this study was to assess its migratory behavior. Dedicated marine surveys and satellite tagging efforts were undertaken during the austral summer and early autumn on blue whale feeding grounds off Chilean Northern Patagonia (CNP) during 2013, 2015 and 2016. Positional data derived from satellite tags regarding movement patterns and behavior were analyzed using Bayesian switching first-difference correlated random walk models. We instrumente...

The Greenland GPS Network (GNET) uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to measure the displacement of bedrock exposed near the margins of the Greenland ice sheet. The entire network is uplifting in response to past and present-day changes in ice mass. Crustal displacement is largely accounted for by an annual oscillation superimposed on a sustained trend. The oscillation is driven by earth’s elastic response to seasonal variations in ice mass and air mass (i.e., atmospheric pressure). Observed vertical velocities are higher and often much higher than predicted rates of postglacial rebound (PGR), implying that uplift is usually dominated by the solid earth’s instantaneous elastic response to contemporary losses in ice mass rather than PGR. Superimposed on longer-term trends, an anomalous ‘pulse’ of uplift accumulated at many GNET stations during an approximate six-month period in 2010. This anomalous uplift is spatially correlated with the 2010 melting day anomaly.

During the studied period 1996-2007 I noticed that, the rising and oscillations of the sea level, global temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, ice mass of Antarctica, and melting of Greenland ice are highly correlated with Earth's orbital perturbations. Monthly variations of those parameters have two periodicities. Stronger one called "long-periodic cycle", it is strongly related to solar activity. It appears as a rising trend during my studied period. Observation data of iceberg mass and its melting, global sea level, and concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide is recent and does not cover a millennium or Wolf-Gleissberg solar cycle. So, it does not indicate a global warming. Second cycle is called "short-periodic cycle". it is a weaker force but still stronger than human activities forcing. It appears as oscillations around the rising trend. The short periodic cycle of all mentioned parameters is found correlated to Earth's orbital perturbations which are indicating a global warming and global warming is a natural phenomenon. Global warming is strongly corelated to Sun, Earth's orbit, and our space. I conclude that the productivity of natural greenhouse gases is greater than that produced by human activity. The current proposed global warming is not a result of human activities, rather just temporary epoch and natural phenomena. The Earth's orbital perturbations are in an excellent positive coherence with the Greenland ice mass but in a negative coherence with the Antarctic ice mass. My results are in good agreement with [Yousef (2000) and Akasofu (2010)]. I propose that the natural source of rising in concentration of greenhouse gases can be attributed to two causes: 1) Comets and asteroids, which are still carrying water molecules and some of greenhouse gas' molecules to the Earth's atmosphere; 2) Solar wind, which is composed greenhouse gases in ionization state. It may react and recombined though upper atmosphere before arriving to atmospheric lower levels at poles by unknown process. The global temperature is found to be correlated to Earth's orbital perturbation too. This is because the declination angle is varying through the year. Output solar energy that arrives to the Earth depends on Sun-Earth distance too.

Recent discussion within the news appears to present the idea that climate change is a result of fossil fuel combustion and associated increase of carbon dioxide (CO2). It is really far more complex. As with many natural systems climate change is dependent on many factors among these are: aerosols, Milankovitch cycles, other greenhouse gases, ozone, solar irradiance cycles of various lengths, and surface albedo. Aerosol particles have both natural and anthropogenic sources. Milankovitch cycles include cycle of axial tilt, eccentricity, and precession. Other greenhouse gases include: methane, nitrous oxide, and other halocarbons. The most familiar cycle of solar irradiance is the approximately 20-year sunspot cycle often correlated with droughts throughout the Midwest and Great Plains of the United States. However, there many others that are decades to centuries long. There is a large amount of evidence that indicates that climate change is dependent on other factors than fossil fuel...

During the austral winter, G-stock humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, migrate to the Tropical Eastern Pacific to breed. To analyse if the whale migration times have changed over time, we analysed 31 years (1988–2018) of arrival and departure times to Gorgona National Park, Colombia, an important breeding site. During this period, whales have significantly changed their arrival time, coming now earlier, but their departure time has not changed significantly. Hence, humpback whales now stay 1 month longer than 31 years ago. Humpbacks arrived in Gorgona at the earliest during the beginning of May and stayed at the most until late December. The change observed in the arrival time to breeding grounds could be related to ice sheet mass changes in autumn in Antarctica and increase in population size over the past decades but we were unable to determine which factor is more important in explaining the observed trend. Management decisions in Colombia need to account for a longer stay, ...

During the austral winter, G-stock humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, migrate to the Tropical Eastern Pacific to breed. To analyse if the whale migration times have changed over time, we analysed 31 years (1988-2018) of arrival and departure times to Gorgona National Park, Colombia, an important breeding site. During this period, whales have significantly changed their arrival time, coming now earlier, but their departure time has not changed significantly. Hence, humpback whales now stay 1 month longer than 31 years ago. Humpbacks arrived in Gorgona at the earliest during the beginning of May and stayed at the most until late December. The change observed in the arrival time to breeding grounds could be related to ice sheet mass changes in autumn in Antarctica and increase in population size over the past decades but we were unable to determine which factor is more important in explaining the observed trend. Management decisions in Colombia need to account for a longer stay, specifically restricting anthropogenic activities from 1May to 31December. We urge other researchers to review their data, in case this shift is evident in other regions and management plans need to be updated.

During the studied period 1996-2007 I noticed that, the rising and oscillations of the sea level, global temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, ice mass of Antarctica, and melting of Greenland ice are highly correlated with Earth's orbital perturbations. Monthly variations of those parameters have two periodicities. Stronger one called “long-periodic cycle”, it is strongly related to solar activity. It appears as a rising trend during my studied period. Observation data of iceberg mass and its melting, global sea level, and concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide is recent and does not cover a millennium or Wolf-Gleissberg solar cycle. So, it does not indicate a global warming. Second cycle is called “short-periodic cycle”. it is a weaker force but still stronger than human activities forcing. It appears as oscillations around the rising trend. The short periodic cycle of all mentioned parameters is found correlated to Earth's orbital perturbations which are indicating a global warming and global warming is a natural phenomenon. Global warming is strongly corelated to Sun, Earth’s orbit, and our  space.  I conclude that the productivity of natural greenhouse gases is greater than that produced by human activity. The current proposed global warming is not a result of human activities, rather just temporary epoch and natural phenomena. The Earth's orbital perturbations are in an excellent positive coherence with the Greenland ice mass but in a negative coherence with the Antarctic ice mass. My results are in good agreement with Yousef (2000) and Akasofu (2010).  I propose that the natural source of rising in concentration of greenhouse gases can be attributed to two causes: 1) Comets and asteroids, which are still carrying water molecules and some of greenhouse gas’ molecules to the Earth’s atmosphere; 2) Solar wind, which is composed greenhouse gases in ionization state. It may react and recombined though upper atmosphere before arriving to atmospheric lower levels at poles by unknown process. The global temperature is found to be correlated to Earth’s orbital perturbation too. This is because the declination angle is varying through the year. Output solar energy that arrives to the Earth depends on Sun-Earth distance too.

Sea level rising and oscillations indicate global Earth's mass variability. Mawad (2017) proposed mass inflow to the Earth from space through coronal mass ejections, solar wind, small comets, and meteoroids which brings water to Earth's atmosphere. Mass outflow also occurs and plasma escapes into space. Sea level rising is highly correlated to Earth's orbital perturbations and monthly and annual periodicities are found in the two variables. In the same vein, we studied the variation of the global temperature, Carbon Dioxide and ice mass of both Greenland and Antarctica and their correlation to Earth’s orbital perturbation. We found that these parameters which are indicating a global worming are strongly correlated to Earth’s orbital perturbations. This correlation indicates that the variation of the global temperature, carbon dioxide, sea level, ice mass, and iceberg melting are natural phenomena and are varying periodically according to our star (Sun). The current proposed global warming is not a result of human activities, rather just temporary epoch and natural phenomena. The amplitude of the Earth's orbital perturbation is about four times greater away from the sun than towards the sun. The Earth's orbital perturbations are in an excellent positive coherence with the Greenland Ice mass but in a negative coherence with the Antarctic ice mass. For the studied period 1995-2007, we notice the striking coherence between the variability of CO2 concentration and Earth's orbital perturbations.

Prolonged reduced state of solar activity and hence solar irradiance will lead to the earth entering an epoch of ice age in Europe and America and rainy epoch in the Africa Sahara that will extent to Arabia. What we are seeing now is a transition period which will eventually rapidly develop into such state with recurrence of ice age indicates rapid transitions. Colder freezing epoch in USA and Europe with a dramatic hurricane seasons is forecasted we are also forecasting more flash floods in Northern Africa and Arabian Peninsula and increased frequency of hurricanes over the empty quarter. Increasing solar induced strong earthquakes are also forecasted worldwide. There are several scenarios for the state of the sun in the near future; We are just at the bottom following the decline of the Wolf-Gleissberg cycles, we are coming into a Maunder type vanishing of solar activity which we termed  earlier the YUSUF Minimum, We are on the declining phase of a  Millennium solar cycle with seven years of flash floods with the possible start of a New Millennium solar cycle in the near future and finally the sun is about to turn into a giant. Following the return of the rainy epoch, then the last scenario is the most likely.

The perturbation of the Earth caused by variability of mass of Earth as additional reason with gravity of celestial bodies and shape of the Earth. The Earth eating and collecting matters from space and loss or eject matters to space through its flying in the space around the Sun. The source of the rising in the global sea level is not closed in global warming and icebergs, but the outer space is the additional important source for this rising. The Earth eats waters from space in unknown mechanism. The mass of the Earth become greater in November i.e. before transit apoapsis two months, and become latter in February i.e. after transit apoapsis to two months.