Clouds and rain obscured Nome’s view Monday of the “Great American Eclipse,” but Western Alaskans can take heart: another total solar eclipse is coming in 2033, and this time, Nome will be at the center of it all. Call it the “Great Bering Strait Eclipse.”
Arctic
Feds move forward with review of Hilcorp’s Arctic drilling plans
The federal government is moving forward with its review of Hilcorp’s proposal to drill offshore for oil in the Arctic.
There’s a new Arctic drilling battle brewing…and it’s not in ANWR
A series of promising oil discoveries and a recent move by the Trump administration mean the vast, remote National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska is about to get a lot more controversial.
As sea ice recedes, walruses gather near Point Lay earlier than ever
Several hundred Pacific walrus are hauled out on a barrier island near the village of Point Lay, on the Chukchi Sea coast. It’s the earliest such haul out since the walrus first started showing up in 2007 — and may be linked to this year’s rapidly retreating Arctic sea ice.
Global warming makes expedition to ice-locked North Pole possible
Two specially equipped sailboats are attempting a voyage that’s never been done before – a trip to the North Pole. Led by a British explorer, the international crew has moved the boats from their home in Sitka up to Nome, where they’re hoping to launch for their journey to the Pole this weekend.
Sweeping government climate report warns of rapid warming in Alaska, Arctic
A new government report warns that regions across the U.S. are feeling the effects of rapid climate change, with some of the greatest impacts in Alaska and the Arctic. And it states the evidence that human activity is driving climate change is stronger than ever.