Western Antarctica Melting

[Renato1 (Renato)]

In a recent thread, there was some discussion about this article relating to western Antarctica melting, which was occurring at the same time as the presence of record sea ice in Antarctica.
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Ob...a_s_ice_losses
This study was widely reported in the media.

Here is another study which documents recent swarms of seismic activity in the area, which aren't uncommon and are thought to be related to erupting volcanos - which can't pierce the 1.2km to 2 km ice sheets above them, but do lead to melt water. It turns out that there are quite a large number of volcanos in western Antarctica, which form part of the "Pacific Rim of Fire"
http://www.earth-of-fire.com/page-8824411.html
http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v.../ngeo1992.html
This study was not widely reported in the media.

Regards,
Renato

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Thanks for the links Renato. Make for interesting reading.

[pmrid (Peter)]

So that we do not lose sight of the reality of our contribution to the melting ice sheets and other disastrous changes in our earth, I think those following this debate would find interest in the article by Bill McKibbin in Rolling Stone. Read them both and reflect.
act.350.org/signup/readytomarch

Peter

[FlashDrive (Poppy)]

not another thread on GW please ... here we go again....

[Amaranthus (Barry)]

Record Southern Ocean sea ice extent is (very likely) caused by a combination of changing wind patterns (which acts to spread rather than aggregate the surface ice), and changes in the rate of overturning, which leads to stratification of sea-surface temperature layers. The greater ice extent is NOT a signal that the Southern Ocean is cooling -- it is unequivocally warming, as revealed by ARGO and satellite measurements, and indeed is considered the flywheel of the climate system.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by FlashDrive

not another thread on GW please ... here we go again....

Ditto, Col!

[TrevorW]

The topography of Antarctica is such that in sections the ice is up to 4km thick- I'd be more concerned about sea level rising if the Eastern Ice field starts to melt

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Thanks for the links Renato. Make for interesting reading.

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

I thought it might be stimulating to mention bits of science that don't get much press.
Regards,
Renato

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by FlashDrive

not another thread on GW please ... here we go again....

No, this is more a thread about recent volcanic activity in the western Antarctic.
Regards,
Renato

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by TrevorW

The topography of Antarctica is such that in sections the ice is up to 4km thick- I'd be more concerned about sea level rising if the Eastern Ice field starts to melt

Yes, that would indeed be extremely worrisome.
But fortunately it's not happening (I'm pretty sure the people running that satellite would have let us know about it if it were).
Regards,
Renato

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hi Renato,

A good find and interesting, thanks for sharing.

Cheers

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Originally Posted by FlashDrive

not another thread on GW please ... here we go again....

For a Science based community like IIS I would be surprised if there was any doubt about GLOBAL WARMING in this community.

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by pmrid

So that we do not lose sight of the reality of our contribution to the melting ice sheets and other disastrous changes in our earth, I think those following this debate would find interest in the article by Bill McKibbin in Rolling Stone. Read them both and reflect.
act.350.org/signup/readytomarch

Peter

Hi Peter,
No mention about volcanic activity in the western part of Antarctica in that article.
Regards,
Renato

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by Baddad

Hi Renato,

A good find and interesting, thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Thanks Marty,
Renato

[Renato1 (Renato)]

Originally Posted by supernova1965

For a Science based community like IIS I would be surprised if there was any doubt about GLOBAL WARMING in this community.

Is it my imagination, or are people very touchy about a scientific article about about seismic activity in the western Antarctic?

Perhaps you should read to the bottom of the study, where it discusses the effects of increasing CO2 by 100ppm in the atmosphere. That might cheer you up.
Regards,
Renato

[el_draco (Rom)]

Originally Posted by supernova1965

For a Science based community like IIS I would be surprised if there was any doubt about GLOBAL WARMING in this community.

Alas mate, you'll always find some people who will say Black is White to keep an argument going. There's usually vested interest involved.

The bottom line is we have ONE planet to live on and we better be damn sure we do something about the state its in.... which we wont. I wouldn't bother wasting your time trying to participate in the waffle that will follow. I sure as hell wont bother contributing further

Boring B.S.

[Ric]

Thanks for the link Renato.

A very interesting read.

Cheers

[moonunit (Joe)]

Originally Posted by el_draco

Alas mate, you'll always find some people who will say Black is White to keep an argument going. There's usually vested interest involved.

The bottom line is we have ONE planet to live on and we better be damn sure we do something about the state its in.... which we wont. I wouldn't bother wasting your time trying to participate in the waffle that will follow. I sure as hell wont bother contributing further

Boring B.S.

2 planets, we have Mars as well don't forget.

[Ric]

Originally Posted by moonunit

2 planets, we have Mars as well don't forget.

Yes, but we have to wait about 10 million years after we work out how to terra-form the planet first.

[astroron (Ron)]

Originally Posted by moonunit

2 planets, we have Mars as well don't forget.

Very strange