PalaeoArc
Processes and Palaeo-Environmental changes in the Arctic
About
PalaeoArc is an international network research programme dedicated to understanding the profound environmental transformations of the Arctic. The scientific goal of this six-year programme is to understand and explain the climatically-induced environmental changes in the Arctic that have taken place throughout the Quaternary and continue in the present-day. The network builds on a rich legacy of international collaboration, extending the work of pioneering projects such as PONAM, QUEEN, APEX, and PAST Gateways, which have collectively shaped our understanding of the region's dynamic history over the last 40 years.
The programme’s focus is structured around four interconnected themes: the dynamics of Arctic ice sheets, glaciers, and ice shelves; the behaviour of high-latitude oceans and sea ice; the evolution of terrestrial environments and landscapes; and the complex climatic interactions between these components of the Arctic system. Through a series of annual conferences, from Poznań in 2019 to the final meeting in Tromsø in 2025, PalaeoArc has provided a key forum for scientists from diverse disciplines and career stages to collaborate, share findings, and address critical uncertainties about the Arctic's past, which holds the key to understanding its present and future trajectory.
At PalaeoArc.no, our community of Arctic enthusiasts stands on the shoulders of giants. We extend our deepest respect and gratitude to every researcher whose dedication has advanced our knowledge of the Arctic and its changing nature. This collective body of work—meticulously gathered from the seafloor, ice sheets, and terrestrial landscapes—represents a monumental contribution. It is more than a collection of data; it is the essential foundation upon which future discoveries will be built, ensuring that the story of the Arctic continues to be told with ever-increasing clarity and insight.
Processes and Palaeo-Environmental Changes in the Arctic
The Arctic region is experiencing some of the most rapid environmental shifts on Earth, with surface air temperatures rising at more than double the global average rate since the early 2000s. Palaeo-environmental records preserved in marine sediment cores, lake deposits, and ice archives show that the current decline in sea ice extent and the associated warming are unprecedented over at least the past 1,500 years. These long-term perspectives, developed through international programmes such as PalaeoArc, reveal how Quaternary climate variability once shaped the growth and retreat of ice sheets, the dynamics of high-latitude oceans, and the evolution of terrestrial landscapes. Today, Arctic amplification—driven largely by shrinking sea ice—intensifies these processes, creating a feedback loop where open water absorbs more solar radiation, further accelerating warming and altering ocean circulation patterns.
Key problems stem from interconnected cryospheric, terrestrial, and marine changes. Satellite data from 2025 confirm that the Arctic winter sea ice reached its lowest annual maximum extent in the 47-year record, while multi-year ice thicker than four years has declined by over 95 percent since the 1980s. Permafrost thaw is mobilizing iron and other metals, turning rivers in more than 200 Alaskan watersheds orange and increasing water acidity and toxicity. Tundra vegetation is greening at near-record levels, with shrub expansion and higher primary productivity reshaping habitats, yet these shifts also risk releasing stored carbon and methane, amplifying global warming. Extreme weather events have become more frequent, threatening biodiversity, coastal infrastructure, and the traditional livelihoods of Indigenous communities.
International scientific communities are tackling these challenges through sustained, collaborative research. The PalaeoArc network, an ongoing international programme building on decades of predecessor projects, unites marine geologists, palaeoceanographers, permafrost experts, and modellers to integrate past and present data. Its recent conferences and special issues focus on ice-sheet dynamics, sea-ice processes, landscape evolution, and climate feedbacks. Landmark initiatives like the MOSAiC expedition delivered the first full-year observations of the central Arctic system, while annual syntheses such as the NOAA Arctic Report Card—produced in partnership with the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) of the Arctic Council—provide up-to-date, peer-reviewed assessments. Under the umbrella of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), researchers from dozens of nations share data, refine predictive models, and coordinate field campaigns.
These efforts aim not only to reconstruct historical baselines but also to forecast future trajectories and support adaptation. By improving the representation of Arctic processes in global climate models and strengthening community-based monitoring, the international community is working to reduce uncertainties around carbon-cycle feedbacks and ecosystem tipping points. Continued cooperation will remain essential for delivering the robust science needed to inform policy and safeguard the Arctic’s role in the Earth system.
Arctic in culture
Beyond our deep respect for the mission of PalaeoArc and our genuine concern for the changes unfolding in the Arctic, most of us share a quiet dream: to one day set foot in this breathtaking region ourselves. While that opportunity remains out of reach for many, there exists another way to experience the majesty of the frozen north—one that requires no expedition permit or thermal gear. We invite you to explore the Arctic virtually, and to that end, we would like to propose for discussion a list of the Top 5 video games that capture the spirit, beauty, and challenges of this remarkable part of our planet.
Frostpunk 2
In this critically acclaimed society survival game, you don't just visit the Arctic—you try to keep humanity alive within it. Set 30 years after an apocalyptic blizzard plunged the world into a volcanic winter, Frostpunk 2 challenges you to lead a resource-hungry metropolis in a frozen wasteland. The game shifts the focus from coal to oil as the new lifeblood of survival, forcing you to navigate not only the brutal, endless cold but also the rising internal conflicts of your city's factions. With its deep strategic gameplay and haunting atmosphere, it’s a powerful exploration of how far we will go to survive against nature's fury and our own nature. It won the award for Best Sim/Strategy Game at The Game Awards 2024.
The Long Dark
Often hailed as the quintessential survival experience, The Long Dark drops you into the frigid, post-apocalyptic wilderness of Great Bear Island after a geomagnetic disaster. There are no zombies or monsters here—your enemies are the cold, hunger, thirst, and your own exhaustion. The game is celebrated for its art style, which paints the quiet, desolate landscapes with stunning pastel colors, and its contemplative, lonely atmosphere. Whether you're playing through the narrative-driven story mode or testing your limits in the unforgiving Survival mode, every decision matters. It's a meditative and often brutal homage to the tenacity required to endure in the far north.
Subnautica: Below Zero
Set on an alien ocean planet, this underwater adventure takes you to the freezing Arctic region of Planet 4546B. As a scientist investigating the circumstances of your sister's death, you must survive the frigid waters by crafting equipment, constructing habitats, and navigating both enchanting and terrifying biomes . The game introduces new challenges specific to the cold, such as managing your body temperature and exploring vast, ice-covered expanses both above and below the surface. From riding on the backs of friendly Glow Whales to evading the massive Shadow Leviathan, Subnautica: Below Zero offers a unique blend of alien exploration and arctic survival.
Arctic Awakening
If you are more drawn to story and atmosphere than combat, Arctic Awakening is a perfect choice. This first-person narrative adventure follows Kai, a pilot who crashes in the remote Arctic and must survive with only his drone companion, Alfie. The game is a deeply emotional journey that explores themes of solitude, resilience, and self-discovery against a backdrop of stunning, semi-realistic arctic landscapes. While the gameplay focuses on exploration and contemplative walking, the heart of the experience lies in the evolving relationship between Kai and his witty drone, making for a surprisingly warm and memorable adventure in the cold.
Ikuma
Set to release in 2026, Ikuma is an upcoming exploration-adventure game that draws inspiration from the tragic fate of the Franklin Expedition of 1845. You play as Sam, a cabin boy stranded on an uncharted Arctic island in 1864 with his loyal husky, Ellie. Blending survival elements with a haunting mystery, the game invites you to uncover ancient Inuit legends and the secrets of a lost expedition. What makes Ikuma particularly special is its focus on companionship—you can play solo by switching between Sam and Ellie, or cooperatively with a friend, highlighting that in the harshest environments, friendship is the key to survival.
Vi vil gjøre deg oppmerksom på at alle spillene som er nevnt her, er de aller nyeste og mest kreative verkene fra utviklerne. Selvfølgelig glemmer vi ikke klassikerne – slike som Norgesautomaten Jackpot 6000 har en spesiell plass i hjertet vårt. Akkurat disse perlene sparer vi imidlertid til vår neste toppliste, hvor vi hyller tidløse favoritter med samme respekt som banebrytende nyvinninger.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arctic
Not from Scientists, but from Enthusiasts, for Those Who Are Curious
Not well. The extent of Arctic winter sea ice is shrinking dramatically. In March 2026, scientists recorded one of the lowest winter maximums on record, essentially tying with the previous year's low. This ice acts like a giant air conditioner for our planet by reflecting the sun's heat, and its decline is a clear sign of a warming climate.
They are also accidental food suppliers. When polar bears hunt seals, they often eat only the fat-rich blubber, leaving behind the meat and bones. Researchers estimate that polar bears provide over 7.5 million kilograms of leftover food each year, which feeds scavengers like Arctic foxes, gulls, and even other bears, creating a vital link between marine and land-based food webs.
It can be released. Across the Arctic, there are thousands of old industrial and military sites where contaminants were locked in the frozen ground. As the permafrost thaws for longer periods each year, groundwater can flow year-round, carrying these pollutants into rivers and lakes, which affects freshwater ecosystems and potentially drinking water safety.
About four times faster than the rest of the planet. This phenomenon, known as Arctic amplification, is driven by feedback loops like melting ice, which exposes darker ocean water that absorbs more heat. This accelerated warming is fundamentally reshaping the region's ice, permafrost, and ecosystems.
Yes, it's called "shrubification." As the Arctic warms, shrubs and other plants are expanding into areas that were previously too cold for them. This change in vegetation affects everything from soil nutrients to the color of the landscape, which in turn influences how much heat the ground absorbs.
It doesn't just raise sea levels. The influx of cold, fresh meltwater into the North Atlantic can disrupt ocean currents. This freshening makes the surface water lighter, which can weaken the natural sinking of water that drives global ocean circulation. Scientists are observing this process creating a potential feedback loop that could accelerate further ice melt.
More than we thought. Scientists have discovered active microbes living beneath the Arctic sea ice that can "fix" nitrogen—a process of converting nitrogen into a form that living organisms need to grow. This was believed to be almost impossible in such cold, dark conditions, and this discovery suggests the ice-covered Arctic Ocean is more biologically active than previously assumed.
It's becoming rare. The Arctic used to have a large amount of thick ice that survived through multiple summers. But with warmer winters and more intense summer melts, the extent of winter sea ice is shrinking, which means there is less of this stable, multi-year ice. The ice that does form in winter is thinner and more vulnerable to melting completely the following summer.