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Antarctic climate facing 'rapid' changes: chief scientist [View all]
Antarctic climate facing 'rapid' changes: chief scientist
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) told a Senate estimates hearing today "rapid changes" taking place across the icy land mass would have significant impact on global climate.
Changes in ocean flows and shifts in Antarctic ice cap levels were occurring at rates faster than at any other time in history, chief scientist Nick Gales said.
Scientists were detecting major changes in the circulation of deep, dense salty water off Antarctica. This water, which drives the circulation of the world's oceans and in turn climate patterns, was reducing, while becoming warmer and less salty. Meanwhile, parts of the Antarctic ice caps were melting at unprecedented rates.
"The findings around changes in Antarctica and the southern oceans are critically important to driving world climate," Dr Gales said.
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) told a Senate estimates hearing today "rapid changes" taking place across the icy land mass would have significant impact on global climate.
Changes in ocean flows and shifts in Antarctic ice cap levels were occurring at rates faster than at any other time in history, chief scientist Nick Gales said.
Scientists were detecting major changes in the circulation of deep, dense salty water off Antarctica. This water, which drives the circulation of the world's oceans and in turn climate patterns, was reducing, while becoming warmer and less salty. Meanwhile, parts of the Antarctic ice caps were melting at unprecedented rates.
"The findings around changes in Antarctica and the southern oceans are critically important to driving world climate," Dr Gales said.
You know it's serious when a chief boffin goes out of his way to assure the pols that his boys aren't being "alarmist".
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