Norwegian Polar Institute

Multiple introductions of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses into the High Arctic: Svalbard and Jan Mayen, 2022–2025

Abstract Between 2022 and 2025, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) of clade 2.3.4.4b, including four distinct H5 Eurasian (EA) genotypes, were detected in wild birds and mammals in the Svalbard Archipelago and on the island of Jan Mayen. We describe their epidemio...

Anatomy and impact of a high Arctic atmospheric river driving extreme winter rain and snowfall

Abstract. Atmospheric rivers (ARs) transport concentrated fluxes of heat and moisture poleward, driving temperature and precipitation extremes. Yet, their vertical structure in the High Arctic – where small thermodynamic perturbations govern rain-snow partitioning and cryospheric...

Quaternary Arctic planktonic foraminifera: morphological differentiation and taxonomic reassessment of subpolar spinose taxa

Abstract. Planktonic foraminifera in the modern Arctic Ocean are dominated by the non-spinose polar species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma. Acmes of two spinose, presumed subpolar taxa in Quaternary central Arctic sediment cores are therefore anomalous, implying significantly differ...