[Number_Cruncher]

You are missing the point. The figures shows that worldwide the melting of glaciers has decelerated in the last 50 years compared to the previous 50 years. Some glaciers in Alaska may be an exception to this deceleration.

One Alaskan glacier that is surging.

[cogitator]

The figures shows that worldwide the melting of glaciers has decelerated in the last 50 years compared to the previous 50 years.

First of all, was this from the IPCC TAR? What is the period of time the data covers? In an earlier exchange of posts, I noted that one of the articles you cited was for trends through 1993. The importance of the term "acceleration" is that it is being seen now.

Second, I'd like to know how the assessment is being made. The Alaska measurements are one data set. Another data set is in the Himalayas, where glaciers are melting at such a rate that the meltwater lakes below them are posing serious flood hazards.

There are a lot of glaciers in Alaska and the Himalayas. So "overall", where are glaciers not receding as fast?