Rising temperatures contributed to the disaster by destabilizing the permafrost and ice around the collapsed rock, scientists concluded.

Sweltering summer temperatures put last month on par with July 2023 for global warmth, scientists said. More records could be broken in the months ahead.

The recurring climate phenomenon is expected to peak later this year, but it is already causing dry spells and crop failures on three continents.

The top of the world is warming faster than any other region. For 20 years, the Arctic Report Card chronicled the extraordinary transformation.

Attribution science is advancing quickly, researchers said. That could support lawsuits seeking damages for severe events worsened by global warming.

Records are being broken for the second time in a month, leading scientists to probe the upper limits of what the warming climate can dish out.