University of Alaska Fairbanks Study Warns of Rapid Decline in Shorefast Ice Protecting Northern Coastlines

UAF research shows Alaska’s landfast ice seasons have shrunk by up to 57 days, leaving coastlines vulnerable to erosion and impacting local hunting.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 5:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ScienceDaily

The Vanishing Barrier of Landfast Ice

For decades, the northern coast of Alaska has relied on a stable layer of "landfast" ice—sea ice that remains frozen directly to the shoreline rather than drifting with ocean currents. However, new data from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) indicates this protective shield is failing at an accelerating rate. According to a study led by Professor Andrew Mahoney, landfast ice is now remaining attached to the coast for significantly shorter periods each year. This trend is particularly concerning because this specific type of ice serves as a primary platform for human activity, supporting traditional hunting, fishing, and the seasonal ice roads critical to the regional economy.

Shift in Stability for the Beaufort Sea

One of the most significant findings of the updated research is the expansion of ice loss into the Beaufort Sea. While the Chukchi Sea has shown a steady decline for years, the Beaufort Sea remained relatively stable from the 1970s through the early 2000s. That stability has now ended. The data through 2023 shows that the Beaufort Sea is mirroring the declines seen elsewhere in the Arctic. The landfast ice season has shortened by 39 days in the Beaufort Sea and a staggering 57 days in the Chukchi Sea since 1996. This reduction leaves the coastline exposed to powerful waves for nearly two additional months each year, exacerbating coastal erosion.

The Mechanics of Delayed Freeze-Up

The primary driver behind the shrinking ice season is "later freeze-up" in the autumn. Even as air temperatures drop below freezing, the ocean now retains heat for longer periods, preventing the formation of a solid ice connection to the shore. In the Chukchi Sea, the season is being squeezed from both ends—forming later in the fall and breaking up earlier in the spring. In the Beaufort Sea, the decline is almost entirely attributed to the delayed start of the season. This delay creates a dangerous period of uncertainty for local communities who rely on the ice for safe passage across coastal waters.