The notoriously difficult-to-study Pacific walrus population decreased by about half between 1981 and 1999, likely due to hunting and changes to sea-ice habitat, according to a new USGS study that is considered the most up-to-date and comprehensive so far. The Pacific walrus is being considered for Endangered Species Act protections.

River Erosion

Because ice makes up a good portion of the underground foundation of northern Alaska, thawing has dropped the landscape as much as 3 feet in some places.

Salmon Berries (Rubus spectabilis) Early

Unusual weevil (Curculionoidea)

Spruce Aphid (Elatobium abietinum) Damage

Brown bear (Ursus arctos) caught in village.

Large Old World Swallowtail Butterfly

Something strange is happening to the oceans. As coral reefs wither and fisheries collapse, octopuses are multiplying like mad. As soon as they perceive weakness, they will amass an army and invade the land, too.

Black fly

Early Growth of Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis - Highbush)

Early salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) boom

Unusual atmospheric rainbow-like

Blooming Raspberry plants

For one day last week, the village of Deering needed to use a boat to get to the airport.

Arctic sea ice last month reached its greatest extent for the season, and it was the lowest in the satellite record. Now researchers say that ice is also younger and thinner than it once was.

Alaska’s tundra landscapes carpet a good portion of the state, from the North Slope to the elbow of the Alaska Peninsula. Researchers say it's slowly sinking in places -- as much as a fifth of an inch each year.

Windows have been open during the record heat and the interior of the house is also full of pollen, a thin layer can be seen on the floor near windows. Everyone, even people like myself who rarely experience allergies, are feeling the effects, burning eyes, runny nose, and cough.

Early Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) Sprout