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First direct evidence that human activity is linked to Antarctic Ice Shelf collapse
October 17, 2006The first direct evidence linking human activity to the collapse of Antarctic ice shelves is published this week in the Journal of Climate. Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, University College London, and the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, (Belgium) reveal that stronger westerly winds in the northern Antarctic Peninsula, driven principally by human-induced climate change, are responsible for the marked regional summer warming that led to the retreat and collapse of the northern Larsen Ice Shelf.
Global warming and the ozone hole have changed Antarctic weather patterns such that strengthened westerly winds force warm air eastward over the natural barrier created by the Antarctic Peninsula's 2 km-high mountain chain. On days when this happens in summer temperatures in the north-east Peninsula warm by around 5 degrees C, creating the conditions that allowed the drainage of melt-water into crevasses on the Larsen Ice Shelf, a key process that led to its break-up in 2002.
Lead author Dr Gareth Marshall from the British Antarctic Survey said, "This is the first time that anyone has been able to demonstrate a physical process directly linking the break-up of the Larsen Ice Shelf to human activity. Climate change does not impact our planet evenly - it changes weather patterns in a complex way that takes detailed research and computer modelling techniques to unravel. What we've observed at one of the planet's more remote regions is a regional amplifying mechanism that led to the dramatic climate change we see over the Antarctic Peninsula."
British Antarctic Survey
British Antarctic Survey
Antarctic Current Events and Antarctic News RSSHow much water does the ocean have?
The calculation of variations in the sea level is relatively simple. It is by far more complicated to then determine the change in the water mass.
Controversial new climate change results
New data show that the balance between the airborne and the absorbed fraction of carbon dioxide has stayed approximately constant since 1850, despite emissions of carbon dioxide having risen from about 2 billion tons a year in 1850 to 35 billion tons a year now.
New fossil plant discovery links Patagonia to New Guinea in a warmer past
Fossil plants are windows to the past, providing us with clues as to what our planet looked like millions of years ago.
Antarctica glacier retreat creates new carbon dioxide store
Large blooms of tiny marine plants called phytoplankton are flourishing in areas of open water left exposed by the recent and rapid melting of ice shelves and glaciers around the Antarctic Peninsula.
Past climate of the northern Antarctic Peninsular informs global warming debate
The seriousness of current global warming is underlined by a reconstruction of climate at Maxwell Bay in the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula over approximately the last 14,000 years, which appears to show that the current warming and widespread loss of glacial ice are unprecedented.
Precise picture of early Universe supports 'dark matter' theory
A detailed picture of the seeds of structures in the universe has been unveiled by an international team co-led by a Cardiff University scientist.
West Antarctic ice sheet may not be losing ice as fast as once thought
New ground measurements made by the West Antarctic GPS Network (WAGN) project, composed of researchers from The University of Texas at Austin, The Ohio State University, and The University of Memphis, suggest the rate of ice loss of the West Antarctic ice sheet has been slightly overestimated.
Whale-sized genetic study largest ever for southern hemisphere humpbacks
After 15 years of research in the waters of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the American Museum of Natural History, and an international coalition of organizations have unveiled the largest genetic study of humpback whale populations ever conducted in the Southern Hemisphere.
Last time carbon dioxide levels were this high: 15 million years ago, scientists report
You would have to go back at least 15 million years to find carbon dioxide levels on Earth as high as they are today, a UCLA scientist and colleagues report Oct. 8 in the online edition of the journal Science.
NASA flies to Antarctica for largest airborne polar ice survey
NASA begins a series of flights Oct. 15 to study changes to Antarctica's sea ice, glaciers and ice sheets. The flights are part of Operation Ice Bridge, a six-year campaign that is the largest airborne survey ever made of ice at Earth's polar regions.
More Antarctic Current Events and Antarctic News Articles
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The Antarctic: From the Circle to the Pole by Stuart Klipper (Photographer), Guy Guthridge (Photographer), William L. Fox (Photographer), Steven Pyne (Photographer) Antarctica remains largely unknown and infinitely fascinating. Stuart Klipper has traveled to Antarctica six times in twenty years to photograph this astounding body of work offering a sweeping look at this majestic continent which has lately become central to global climate change concerns. Shot in panoramic format—the only way to encompass a landscape that seems to stretch on forever—Klipper's work captures major features and surprising details: ships suspended in the frozen sea glowing blue icebergs vistas of endless snow and troops of penguins. This volume's substantial size panoramic shape and unique vertical-opening case emphasize the grandeur of these austere and lovely photographs from the bottom of the world. |
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Emperors of the Ice: A True Story of Disaster and Survival in the Antarctic, 1910-13 by Richard Farr (Author) Apsley George Benet Cherry-Garrard has always dreamt of becoming an explorer. So in the spring of 1910, when Captain Robert Falcon Scott offers young “Cherry” the position of Assistant Zoologist aboard the Terra Nova, Cherry considers himself the luckiest man alive. Cherry’s luck, however, will soon change. Far off in the icy unknown of Antarctica, where temperatures plummet below –77°F, exploration is synonymous with a struggle for life. Frostbite, scurvy, hidden ice chasms, and packs of hungry killer whales are very real dangers. But even these perils don’t prepare Cherry for the expedition he and two other crew members embark upon to collect the eggs of Emperor penguins. Along the way, he will face the elements head-on, risking life and limb in the name of science. Rife... |
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The Endurance - Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition Starring: Liam Neeson, Julian Ayer, John Blackborow, David Cale, John Henry Cox Directed By: George Butler Also With: George Butler (Producer), Bowe Ferrer (Producer), Caroline Alexander (Producer), Caroline Alexander (Writer), Dr. John M. Levinson (Producer), Edward R. Pressman (Producer), Joseph Dorman (Writer) Narrated by liam neeson. In august 1914 sir ernest shackleton set sail with 27 men on his ship the endurance. His plan was to be the first expedition to cross the antarctic continent. Considered by experts to be the greatest adventure ever. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 10/28/2008 Run time: 97 minutes Rating: G Director: George Butler |
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Antarctic: A Tribute to Life in the Polar Regions by Michael Poliza (Photographer), HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco (Photographer), David de Rothschild (Photographer), Stefan Schulze-Hausmann (Photographer) Following his stunning photo-safari in Africa and an unprecedented helicopter voyage from Europe to Africa in Eyes Over Africa, the award-winning photographer has ventured to the polar regions. With his inimitable blend of intimate close-ups and cinematic landscapes, Poliza leads us through the magical worlds of these frozen paradises most threatened by global warming. Poliza shows polar bears as they frolicked among purple fireweed against the majestic Arctic backdrop, varied and multicolored icebergs, as well as a number of rare and endangered species. Poliza once again captures the most vulnerable treasures--still ensconced in our planet's few pristine landscapes. |
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Antarctic Antics... and More Hilarious Animal Stories (Scholastic Storybook Treasures) Starring: John Lithgow, Laura Dern, Diana Canova, Antarctic Antics Collect the entire library of Scholastic Storybook Treasures and read along on screen with your favorite classic children s stories, brought vividly to life on DVD. ANTARCTIC ANTICS (By Judy Sierra, Illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey, Narrated by Diana Canova and Raul Malo) Sing along with a chick as she grows up and learns about life on a penguin colony in Antarctica. IN THE SMALL, SMALL POND (Written and Illustrated by Denise Fleming, Narrated by Laura Dern) The natural beauty of animal life in a pond is depicted through striking illustrations and bewitching blends of words and sounds. BEAR SNORES ON (Written and Narrated by Karma Wilson, Illustrated by Jane Chapman) Some animals stop by a cave to warm up from the snow. They drink tea and eat popcorn, but... |
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Arctic & Antarctic - International Journal of Circumpolar So by Iacsi %Mikka Pyykkonen | |
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Antarctic Night (Breaksoundscapes Remix) Blue Tente (Primary Contributor) |
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Eyewitness (Nature Series) - Arctic & Antarctic [VHS] Starring: Martin Sheen Which is which? We think of both places as similar ice realms, but Eyewitness: Arctic and Antarctic explains how they are a world apart (both literally and figuratively). The polar regions received their names from the Greeks: the Arctic is so called for the Great Bear, Arctus, in the northern sky; the opposite of that, Antarctic, means "no bear." The story of these icy kingdoms begins with a fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, beautifully narrated by Martin Sheen, who goes on to explain the harsh ecosystems. The Arctic is a continent of ice, capable of producing icebergs the size of Belgium. Amazingly, the average iceberg holds enough freshwater to supply a family of five for 100,000 years. This documentary is chock full of facts and information about these icy lands at the top and... | |
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Draw Write Now, Book 4: The Polar Regions, Arctic, Antarctic (Draw-Write-Now) by Marie Hablitzel (Author), Kim Stitzer (Author) Beginning drawing and writing lessons for children ages five to ten. BOOK 4 focuses on the Polar Regions -- Arctic and Antarctic. The books are simple enough for a young child to do independently, but a teacher or parent may present the lessons. Each drawing lesson includes a colorful picture and step-by-step instructions, while the writing lesson includes four simple handwritten sentences. The teacher or parent may introduce letter formation or have the children copy the sentences for handwriting practice, or use the lessons as a springboard for creative writing or report writing. Developed by an elementary school teacher and co-authored by her daughter. A brief list of the 21 lessons in the book includes Blue Whale, auroras, Arctic people, polar bear, igloo, tundra, wolf, penguin,... |
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Fisher-Price Go Diego Go Extreme Antarctic Rescue by Fisher Price CHOKING HAZARD: Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Ready to go on even more dangerous rescue missions, the Go Diego Go!™ Extreme Rescue Figures measure 6-in high and feature oversized hands and feet! Each figure comes with a rescue accessory. |
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