Coastal erosion due to thawing permafrost and increased wave action threatens several arctic communities, including Shishmaref, Alaska.

Photo © Native Village of Shishmaref.
Courtesy of Luci Eningowuk

Welcome to SEARCH

A system-scale, cross-disciplinary, long-term arctic research program

What's New?

Sea Ice Minimum Reached on 12 September 2008

The sea ice minimum for 2008 appears to have reached its low on
12 September 2008, at 4.52 million square kilometers, making it the second-lowest recorded since 1979. {more}

Arctic Observing Network (AON) Announcement of Opportunity:
1 July 2008 - The NSF releases AON Program Solicitation {more}

 

Sea Ice Outlook: As a result of the drastic loss of sea ice witnessed in 2007, the international arctic research community has launched a new project: "Arctic Sea Ice Outlook." The aim of this project is to provide monthly status reports on the sea ice throughout the summer. {more}

 

Arctic Observation Integration Workshops: The final report from the March 2008 workshops is now available. {more}

What's SEARCH?

SEARCH is an interagency effort to understand the nature, extent, and future development of the system-scale change presently seen in the Arctic. These changes are occurring across terrestrial, oceanic, atmospheric and human systems, including:

  • increased air temperatures over most of the Arctic;
  • changing ocean circulation and rising coastal sea level;
  • reduced sea ice cover; and
  • thawing permafrost.

The core aim of SEARCH is to understand the recent and ongoing complex of interrelated pan-arctic changes. These changes are affecting ecosystems, living resources, and the human population, and are impacting local and global economic activities.

Currently nearly 70 projects are funded as SEARCH activities by U.S. agencies. Many more SEARCH-related projects are supported through other programs.

Learn about the history and development of the SEARCH program. {more}

More information about SEARCH science, program planning, meetings, and resources are available through the links to the left.