Posted on 02/24/2008 2:24:47 PM PST by qam1
British explorers in West Antarctica reported glacier movement in the region has picked up by a startling seven percent this season, a development, they said, which could lead to a significant rise in sea level.
David Vaughan of the British Antarctic Survey said the team found new evidence from group of glaciers in West Antarctica which cover an area the size of Texas.
He said the glaciers, particularly the Pine Island Glacier, has surged sharply in speed towards the ocean-- and it's not because of global warming.
Throughout the 1990s, according to satellite measurements, the glacier was accelerating by around one percent a year. The British team said it now seems to have accelerated by seven percent in a single season, sending more and more ice into the ocean.
"The measurements from last season seem to show an incredible acceleration, a rate of up to seven percent. That is far greater than the accelerations they were getting excited about in the 1990s," said team member Julian Scott.
The Pine Island Glacier is a couple of kilometers thick, 30 kilometer wide and is moving at 3.5km per year. Team member Julian Scott theorized that global warming is not the cause. He said it could be a deep ocean current channeling into the continental shelf close to the mouth of the glacier; or, geothermal activity.
Scott's research revealed evidence of a volcano that erupted through the ice about 2,000 years ago. The whole region could be volcanically active and could possibly be releasing geothermal heat to melt the base of the ice and help its slide towards the sea.
If the glacier continues to surge and discharge most of its ice into the sea, the Pine Island Glacier alone could raise global sea level by 25 centimeter. If the entire region were to lose its ice, the sea would rise by 1.5 meters worldwide.
Heretic Burn Him!!!!!!!
I thought the receding glaciers were causing the oceans to rise.
Fascinating. Well, not really.
“Scott’s research revealed evidence of a volcano that erupted through the ice about 2,000 years ago. The whole region could be volcanically active and could possibly be releasing geothermal heat to melt the base of the ice and help its slide towards the sea.”
NO NO NO NO
Where’s the guilt!
Where’s blame America!
This is not acceptable!
“The planet has a fever!”
Thermal activity under the glacier? Is that like farting under the covers?
This trips up many people.
Note that glaciers are not all alike. One factor is how much is on land versus on sea/how much is in isostatic equilibrium. Wet-base versus Dry-base is an important factor. Thickness can vary.
Note that warming on the oceans --> can lead to more humid air that makes it farther inland prior to being droppped out --> leading to changes in snowfall --> leading to changes in glacial advance.
It's not simple.
Wasn't that when we were warned about global cooling and told glaciers would overtake the earth?
I did that last night. It was caused by Global Warming.
> ... and it’s not because of global warming.
Well, yes, it is - volcanic activity.
But worshippers at the altar of Global Hot Air*
ignore that, since it isn’t man-made.
_____________
* Global Hot Air is a registered trademark
of Al Gore Carbon Credits, Inc. (as authorized
by Vatican Sin Dispensation Licensing, SA).
Hard to tell from this snippet what is actualy happening. In Iceland glaciers will slide downhill due to warming near their base from natural and gradual geothermal heat. A huge flood and debris flow took out a large bridge a few years ago due to a more instant volcanic event as I recall.
But, other than the sliding motion (perhaps they are - hence the word “surge”), glaciers move downhill not because they are melting, but because they are GROWING. I believe Antartica has been colder than average over the last many years than normal. (And the Arctic has been warmer).
A volcanoes can melt ice, who would have thunk it ping
Another Scott meeting his end in Antarctica.
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“I thought the receding glaciers were causing the oceans to rise.”
Advancing ice=global warming.
Retreating ice=global warming.
In the ol’ days they would talk about moisture budgets ‘n stuff. Now we know better!
/sarc.
Note to self: check in on January 2009, and see how many news stories there are about the sharply rising oceans in 2008. I predict no oceans flood any cities on the US coast. Tsunamis don't count, they are caused by geological movements.
Hey now, I have my wife convinced that is true!
(British explorers in West Antarctica reported glacier movement in the region has picked up by a startling seven percent this season, )
Proving that they need another grant. See....We did find something...we are actually doing something. Can you imagine what would happen to their grants if they said the truth? Ain’t shit happening here.
Wrong, remember Global Warming causes everything!
Geologists Say Global Warming Expected to Cause Many New Seismic Events
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