Welcome to SEARCH

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

What's New?

2012 Sea Ice Outlook

31 August 2012: A late-August Sea Ice Outlook update is now available! {more}

New Ice and Snow Data Resource

A new webpage provides access to early-release data sets on ice thickness, snow depth, and ice characteristics collected this March/April in the North American Arctic. {more}

Dear Colleague Letter on ArcSEES

SEARCH and the International Study of Arctic Change have released a letter about the solicitation from NSF on "Arctic Science, Engineering, and Education for Sustainability" {more}

What's SEARCH?

Courtesy of Luci Eningowuk
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

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.