Early Data Show Arctic Sea Ice On Track To Break 2007 Record For Sea Ice Loss - ADN

[hatrack]

New data this winter on Arctic winds and currents indicate that next summer's ice loss at the North Pole may be even greater than 2007's record-setting shrinkage. The last remnants of thick, old sea ice are dispersing, and the unusual weather cycles that contributed to last year's loss of ice are continuing, a climatologist told an Anchorage conference Monday.

"The buoys are streaming out," said University of Washington climatologist Ignatius Rigor, referring to the satellite-tracked markers used to monitor the flushing of ice into the North Atlantic. Such a pattern preceded last summer's record ice loss but was not expected to continue so strongly. Scientists are watching the polar ice closely, trying to sort out the effects of global warming and natural cyclical changes.

Formal projections of next summer's expected ice loss won't be made for another month or so. But all indications to date are that ice loss will equal or exceed last year's, "unless the winds turn around," Rigor said at an environmental science conference at the Egan Center. The thin veneer of new ice now covering the polar seas is not like the older, thicker sea ice that once covered the region in winter, Rigor said. In 1989, 80 percent of the ice in the Arctic was at least 10 years old, he said. Today, only about 3 percent of the ice is that old.

The new ice melts more quickly, and then open water absorbs more sunlight, warming the seas and making the next fall's freeze-up come even later, he said. "Have we passed the tipping point?" he said. "It's hard to see how the system may come back."

EDIT

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/312401.html

[Systematic Chaos]

1. As has already been pointed out,

even now there is ice-free water above 80N, in February.

This is going to be one interesting summer. :eyes:

[XemaSab]

2. Is it time to set up a pool?

For bets? :shrug:

[phantom power]

4. I bet that Michael Crichton blames it on ecoterrorists and the Sierra Club

I also bet that the wizards in Congress ask him back as an expert witness.

[Dead_Parrot]

3. Yay!

:popcorn::beer:

[kestrel91316]

5. 2010.

[Canuckistanian]

6. Shit, the "feedback effect" has started.

More ice loss leads to greater absorption of heat, leading to more ice loss.

When this spreads to the permafrost and all the CO2 locked in there, it's bye-bye to the world we've known and loved.

[DCKit]

8. Don't forget the 70 billion tons of methane.

It'll give a whole new meaning to the term "northern lights."

[Dead_Parrot]

9. I'm blaming the dog.

:silly:

[FirstLight]

7. Kick & Rec

This is it, man... are we ready for the ride of the eon?

I have an article to share with you
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x133392

I hope there is some hope on the other side of the despair...

not to mention the shortages of food, etc...
are we ready? can we stop our consumption...all of it, right now?
ya, that's what I thought
:scared:

[Systematic Chaos]

10. Can I at least buy that new 240" TV to watch American Idol on first?

Oh yeah, and my Hummer is up for trade-in in a couple months and the dealership mailed me an offer on my next one that's just too good to refuse! Just as long as that third mortgage from Countrywide goes through as planned.

:silly:

[XemaSab]

11. Do not go gently into that good night....

RAGE! RAGE against the dying of the light! :P

[Dead_Parrot]

12. Aaaaaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh!

Will that do? :shrug:

[XemaSab]

13. It will.

Happy Valentine's day. :D

[Dead_Parrot]

14. 6 minutes late...

...but close enough.

:hug:


(Dateline! happy 2-15: :D)