Webcam from space on the Ice Shelf about to break away

[SoCalDem]

http://www.esa.int/esaEO/SEMWZS5DHNF_index_0.html

04-Apr-2009



'Webcam’ from Space printer friendly page
Wilkins Ice Shelf, Antarctica



Keeping an eye on Wilkins Ice Shelf

As the Wilkins Ice Shelf is at risk of breaking away from the Antarctic Peninsula, ESA’s Envisat satellite is observing the area on a daily basis. The satellite acquisitions of the ice shelf are updated automatically on this website to monitor the developments immediately as they occur.

In late November 2008, new rifts developed on the ice shelf that scientists warn could lead to the opening of the ice bridge that connects the ice shelf to the Charcot island. If the ice bridge were to open, it could put the entire ice shelf at risk of further disintegrating.


A full size version of the animation is also available.

The island visible in the upper left of the image is Charcot Island. The Wilkins Ice Shelf is connected to these by an ice bridge which is approximately 100 km long and only few km wide. Should the ice bridge break up due to increasing temperatures in the Antarctic spring, this would remove the stabilising factor that has been keeping the ice sheet grounded to the peninsula.


The above animation is comprised of images acquired by Envisat’s Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR). The ice bridge is visible as a narrow strip in the image centre.

The animation is updated daily as new ASAR acquisitions become available. The individual images that make up the animation are also available in the image archive on the right navigation bar.

[MrPerson]

1. So like....are we all dead?

[number6]

3. no if you live 200 ft above sea level

your ok, other wise your going to float away .....

[MrPerson]

6. I'm in Pittsburgh. Do I need a boat?

[number6]

9. no

Pittsburgh is 1223 feet above sea level ..

but stay out of New York City

and off the beach unless you have Kayak

[hootinholler]

14. Depends on if you want to fish the Mon.

Or the Allegheny or Ohio.

I think the Appalachian plateau will hold the oceans at bay for ya.

-Hoot

[Ian David]

4. Don't you think FEMA would tell us if we were in danger? n/t

[G_j]

2. not the breaking away ice shelf theory again!

:sarcasm:

this came out this week also,

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/international/general/view/2009_04_02_Study:_Arctic_sea_ice_melting_faster_than_expected


Study: Arctic sea ice melting faster than expected

By Associated Press
Thursday, April 2, 2009

WASHINGTON — Arctic sea ice is melting so fast most of it could be gone in 30 years.

A new analysis of changing conditions in the region, using complex computer models of weather and climate, says conditions that had been forecast by the end of the century could occur much sooner.

A change in the amount of ice is important because the white surface reflects sunlight back into space. When ice is replaced by dark ocean water that sunlight can be absorbed, warming the water and increasing the warming of the planet.


The finding adds to concern about climate change caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, a problem that has begun receiving more attention in the Obama administration and is part of the G20 discussions under way in London.

"Due to the recent loss of sea ice, the 2005-2008 autumn central Arctic surface air temperatures were greater than 5 degrees Celsius (9 degrees Fahrenheit) above" what would be expected, the new study reports.

That amount of temperature increase had been expected by the year 2070.

more:

[kestrel91316]

8. I've got news. Most Arctic sea ice is gonna be gone within 10 years,

not 30. Just watch. The scientists consistently underestimate the acceleration of climate changes.

[Odin2005]

11. I'll bet the pole will be ice-free by the summer of 2015.

:-(

[kestrel91316]

13. Probably. Sigh.

[bluesmail]

5. There's also the Mayan calendar. 2012. I read recently that because the sun

has lost it's magnetic field it cannot protect earth from rays supposedly coming from the center of the universe. Ergo, no one can come up with a defense (if that's what's needed) to protect the earth. The Mayans say we enter the age of enlightenment Dec 21 2012. We've never been in this situation in recorded history. I wonder what all the Think Tanks are speculating. Oh my.

[Odin2005]

12. 2012 woo woo BS has no place is scientific discussions.

:eyes:

[NNN0LHI]

7. I think I just seen a flying saucer go by

I wonder why we can never see any of them from the space cams?

I bet the government edits them out.

Don

[Odin2005]

10. Yeah, right, GW is a lie, this is all Librul propaganda! *SARCASM*

Off to the greatest with you!

[G_j]

15. ++