Arctic Ice Melt Shatters All Records
By Steve Kinsman, 28th Aug 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutNewsEnvironment
The ice in the Arctic is melting far faster than any scientists predicted.
Record Melt
The ice is melting in the Arctic so much faster than predicted that scientists are astounded. Yesterday, August 27, 2012 the extent of the ice cover fell below its previous record low set in September, 2007. The Arctic is losing its frozen sea at the rate of 29,000 square miles every day. That is an area equal to the size of the state of South Carolina - lost completely during each 24 hour period.
"It doesn't matter how the winds blow"
What is particularly alarming to scientists is that the 2007 record was set during near perfect conditions for ice melt, but that this year the conditions were far from perfect. Nevertheless, even that could not stop the acceleration of the melt. According to National Snow and Ice Data Center Director Mark Serreze, "The ice is so thin and weak now, it doesn't matter how the winds blow."
The last six years, from 2007 through this year, have seen the lowest ice extent on record, according to satellite data. NSIDC scientist Walt Meier said "The Arctic used to be dominated by multi-year ice, or ice that stayed around for several years. Now it's becoming more of a seasonal ice cover and large areas are now prone to melting out in summer."
The graph shows it all
The graph above is self-explanatory, as it graphically demonstrates the increased acceleration of the ice melt over the past several years. The solid blue line shows the rate of melt in 2012.
Links: Ice Island Twice the Size of Manhattan Breaks off Greenland
The Rush is on to Mine Greenland's Resources
Preview photo from NASA
All other photos from commondrreams.org
Comments
28th Aug 2012 (#)
That is quite worrying situation to know dear teve! Thanks for sharing!
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28th Aug 2012 (#)
And thank you for commenting A K.
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28th Aug 2012 (#)
That picture is shocking and disturbing, people need to know what they can do to help reverse this trend.
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28th Aug 2012 (#)
That's what we're trying to do here - raise people's awareness. Thanks for commenting Mark.
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28th Aug 2012 (#)
This is certainly a matter of concern. Great post
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28th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you Madan.
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28th Aug 2012 (#)
I heard about that. Arctic sea ice breaks lowest extent on record.
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28th Aug 2012 (#)
Thanks for commenting Teila. I appreciate it.
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29th Aug 2012 (#)
this is more great information about the state of the world you share with us here on Wikinut...thank you Steve for being such a marvellous wayshower...
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29th Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you so much cnwriter.
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29th Aug 2012 (#)
I feel so helpless despite the clear signs; the silence of the powers-be is deafening! They need not be that helpless like me - siva
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29th Aug 2012 (#)
You've summed it up correctly, Siva! I also feel helpless and I know we will all pay the bill - soon, because nobody cares enough really, really save nature, i.e. reduce our greed to exploit it.
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29th Aug 2012 (#)
I just hope one day soon there will be a mass awakening to what we are doing to our Mother. Thanks for commenting chrysolite.
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29th Aug 2012 (#)
I think we all feel rather helpless these days, but we must keep on fighting. Thank you Siva.
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31st Aug 2012 (#)
thanks for this information Steve...
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31st Aug 2012 (#)
Thank you Delicia.
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1st Sep 2012 (#)
Very informative--and urgently relevant and important. Thanks for sharing, Steve.
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1st Sep 2012 (#)
Thank you rama devi.
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1st Sep 2012 (#)
Thank you rama devi.
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1st Sep 2012 (#)
Thank you Souvik. I appreciate that.
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1st Sep 2012 (#)
Excellent article Steve. Brilliantly written.
Souvik Chatterji.
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12th Oct 2012 (#)
hank you Souvik. I appreciate that.
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11th Oct 2012 (#)
Hi Steve just thought i would read some of yours. You are right but,I too get that helpless feeling. People are not aware and don't caRE.
JOE
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12th Oct 2012 (#)
Thank you Joseph, for that nice comment. I really enjoy reading your articles.
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13th Mar 2013 (#)
So, in our lifetime itself, we might see Arctic loosing all its ice cover? Right?
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