Canadian Ice Shelf Disappearing

[symbiosis 0]

(AP) -- A 19-square mile ice shelf in Canada's northern Arctic broke away last month and the remaining shelves have shrunk at a "massive and disturbing" rate, the latest sign of accelerating climate change in the remote region, scientists say.

The Markham Ice Shelf, one of just five remaining ice shelves in the Canadian Arctic, split away from Ellesmere Island in early August, the scientists said Tuesday. They also said two large chunks totaling 47 square miles had broken off the nearby Serson Ice Shelf, reducing it in size by 60 percent.

"The changes ... were massive and disturbing," said Warwick Vincent, director of the Centre for Northern Studies at Laval University in Quebec.

Temperatures in large parts of the Arctic have risen far faster than the global average in recent decades, a development that experts say is linked to global warming.

"These changes are irreversible under the present climate and indicate that the environmental conditions that have kept these ice shelves in balance for thousands of years are no longer present," Derek Mueller, an Arctic ice shelf specialist at Trent University in Ontario. said in an e-mailed statement from the research team sent late on Tuesday.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Climate change is not an indication of global warming. You'll be surprised how tectonic shift, underwater volcanoes can influence a change in temperature by changing the flow of the ocean by moving the hot and cold stream in a different direction.

The fact of the matter is if there is global warming, we need to first know why Anarctica has tropical fossils buried deep into the soil. Supposedly, when a group of researchers were drilling the soil for fossil records in the south, they discovered fossilized vegetation that would only thrive in a tropical environment. This indicates that Anarctica was once a tropical area.

Also, the ozone layer was discovered by a different group that it shrinks and grows every year. The facts are there, however, the people can't assemble the puzzle.

[symbiosis 0]

Climate change is not an indication of global warming. You'll be surprised how tectonic shift, underwater volcanoes can influence a change in temperature by changing the flow of the ocean by moving the hot and cold stream in a different direction.

The fact of the matter is if there is global warming, we need to first know why Anarctica has tropical fossils buried deep into the soil. Supposedly, when a group of researchers were drilling the soil for fossil records in the south, they discovered fossilized vegetation that would only thrive in a tropical environment. This indicates that Anarctica was once a tropical area.

Also, the ozone layer was discovered by a different group that it shrinks and grows every year. The facts are there, however, the people can't assemble the puzzle.

I don't disagree. That the Antarctic was once in the tropics (due to continental drift) has been long known and is indisputable. But, it's not really relevent in this case. Besides, the article clearly says that arctic temperatures have risen dramatically.

[Niels Bohr 72]

The temperature increase maybe because of the oceanic streams shifting. NOAA needs to analyze how the earthquake that caused the Tsunami to hit flood Indonesia, earthquake in Japan as of late, in Thailand, India of this year may somehow affect the stream currents. The OCEANIC currents controls the climate throughout much of the world.

[HAL 9000 96]

Continental drift was also opposed quite publically for a while.

There is a time frame issue to think about here folks. Combine the two and that exlplains quite simply Antartica's tropics. Back when Antartica was something and somewhere else...

[symbiosis 0]

The temperature increase maybe because of the oceanic streams shifting. NOAA needs to analyze how the earthquake that caused the Tsunami to hit flood Indonesia, earthquake in Japan as of late, in Thailand, India of this year may somehow affect the stream currents. The OCEANIC currents controls the climate throughout much of the world.

Yes, oceanic currents are key but there's no evidence they have any direct connection to earthquakes.

[HAL 9000 96]

The temperature increase maybe because of the oceanic streams shifting. NOAA needs to analyze how the earthquake that caused the Tsunami to hit flood Indonesia, earthquake in Japan as of late, in Thailand, India of this year may somehow affect the stream currents. The OCEANIC currents controls the climate throughout much of the world.

And you don't think fluid dynamics change as a result of differing liquid materials in oceanic currents? A hint to consider would be in the increased diluting of oceanic salts through the melting of glacial/polar freshwater into the ocean. Not to mention the increased heat sink imposed on the heat-retention-capable depths of the same oceans... So yes... climate IS most definitely affected by the ocean... but is there anything capable of affecting the oceans? Yep.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Continental drift was also opposed quite publically for a while.

There is a time frame issue to think about here folks. Combine the two and that exlplains quite simply Antartica's tropics. Back when Antartica was something and somewhere else...

I know it's a time frame issue. The geological time frame is huge. Maybe I didn't quite express myself as clearly as I should. Just use the ocean currents.

Edited September 3, 2008 by consolemaster

[joelunchbox 0]

Shouldn't the question be: Are we doing what we can to keep our planet in good shape for our children? We can't control a lot of stuff but are we controlling those things we can?

[HAL 9000 96]

Continental drift was also opposed quite publically for a while.

There is a time frame issue to think about here folks. Combine the two and that exlplains quite simply Antartica's tropics. Back when Antartica was something and somewhere else...

I know it's a time frame issue. The geological time frame is huge. Maybe I didn't quite express myself as clearly as I should. Just use the ocean currents.

I couldn't rule out the possibility of fluid dynamics causing landmass movements but I doubt that many crust shifts would be due to oceanic changes of this magnitude. These changes tend to occur a little bit more slowly. I do know that many rapid changes in oceanic salinity can lead to fast tide/whirlpool type of actvities... but you need temperature to play a big role. Perhaps I am wrong. But water would have to literally flow under the crust in order to influence such movements... and that flies in what is accepted for geological measurements of the planet's composition.

[Niels Bohr 72]

The supercomputer known as NEC Earth Simulator is currently investigating this fluid dynamic issue.

Edited September 3, 2008 by consolemaster

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

link?

[Niels Bohr 72]

link?

Earth Simulator Center

[HAL 9000 96]

Awesome link. Thanks.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Ummmm. Why is the climate supposed to stay the same? It never has before. Oh yeah. It's some arrogant humans that think it shouldn't.