The Arctic

The Arctic region of the Earth is defined roughly as the area above 66 degrees north latitude and is largely a vast ocean covered by sea-ice, though that ice is being affected by global warming. The Arctic also includes much of Greenland, which is covered by a massive ice sheet, as well as the frozen tundra of Europe, Asia and North America. It has distinctive plants and animals found only there, such as the polar bear and the Arctic fox. Read below for the latest news and research from and on the Arctic, its ice and the life it supports.

Related Topics: Antarctica, Glaciers, Polar Bears, Climate Change

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Simultaneous heatwaves have hit both polar regions and caused temperatures to rise by at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit in certain areas.

Alarming heat waves hit Arctic and Antarctica at the same time

By Harry Baker published

Simultaneous heat waves have hit the Arctic and Antarctica, raising temperatures by more than 50 degrees in parts of both polar regions.

Researchers studying Greenland's Hiawatha crater conducted research at the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet in 2019.

Massive asteroid hit Greenland when it was a lush rainforest, under-ice crater shows

By Stephanie Pappas published

A huge impact crater beneath the ice in Greenland dates back 58 million years, to when the Arctic was green and populated by hippo-like animals.

Aerial view of researchers working on Arctic sea ice.

The Arctic Circle: Polar portal to the Arctic

By Tiffany Means published

Located about 66.5 degrees north of the Equator lies the Arctic Circle — a line of latitude that outlines the border of Earth's northernmost region known as the Arctic.

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Unusual Clouds Caught by Satellite Over Greenland

By Live Science Staff published

Clouds don't normally form this high in the atmosphere.