Scientists have front row seat to Arctic warming

The CCGS Amundsen, a Canadian research ice-breaker, powers ahead near Kugluktuk. -AFP

ABOARD CCGS AMUNDSEN, Canada:  Prodding glacial sludge with their hands, a huddle of scientists marvel at the sight of a strange-looking millipede wriggling out of a sample lifted from the Arctic seabed.

On the deck of the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Amundsen, a group of researchers in hard hats and cold weather survival gear search through a slimy heap of clay soil pulled by the ship’s crane from 70 meters below.