Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumArctic Sea Ice Hits Maximum Extent For 2011-12; Most 4" To 12" Thick "At Most"; Will Melt Quickly
http://blogs.discovery.com/.a/6a00d8341bf67c53ef0168e94ffa56970c-640wiEDIT
Ice extent is declining year-round, but the downward trends for winter months are less steep than for summer, largely because most of the Arctic Ocean still gets covered in ice every winter as the sun disappears north of the Arctic Circle. However, the more that the summer sea ice minimum declines -- and last year's extent essentially tied 2007 as the lowest on record -- the harder it is for the winter maximum to reach historical levels, because there is a smaller base on which to build.
Of particular concern is that the ice is declining in volume as well as extent. This winter, ice was only about 10 to 30 centimeters (4 to 12 inches) thick at most, according to Walt Meier of the National Snow and Ice Data Center. So it will all melt away very quickly," he says -- and as it melts away more completely, so it becomes harder for it to reform, creating what NSIDC Director Mark Serreze has called an "overall downward spiral."
EDIT/END
http://news.discovery.com/earth/arctic-sea-ice-reaches-maximum-extent-for-year-120328.html
Dead_Parrot
(14,478 posts)Hey, let's go skating on it!
longship
(40,416 posts)Ice reflects light and energy because... It's white!
Sea water is dark and absorbs energy.
So although sea ice melt doesn't directly contribute to sea level rise, warmer seas do. And warmer seas also contribute to accelerated erosion of sea ice shelves which prop up the continental ice shelves, which as they melt directly contribute to sea level rise.
In other words, there are insidious positive feedback systems which makes ignoring these things very, very stupid. And don't let me get started about the frozen methane in the now ever thawing tundra.
Warpy
(111,373 posts)in Mass. which is pretty far south as far as sea ice goes.
When arctic ice is measured in inches instead of feet, it's past time to start worrying. It's time to panic.
Nihil
(13,508 posts)Especially when that is the MAXIMUM extent in *Winter* ... when the sun isn't even on it for
huge chunks of time ...
F*ck.
phantom power
(25,966 posts)XemaSab
(60,212 posts)I am *definitely* sure about volume.
Dead_Parrot
(14,478 posts)Volume is safe. I hope.
hatrack
(59,593 posts)Systematic Chaos
(8,601 posts)Dead_Parrot
(14,478 posts)XemaSab
(60,212 posts)It's not just for breakfast anymore.