Arctic ice melting at 'amazing' speed, scientists find
7 September 2012
In recent years it has become more well known that ice in the Arctic is melting at a fast pace. This summer the ice reached its lowest level in over 30 years. The Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) is the leader in the research for the region and says the ice is melting faster than expected. Since the ice is disappearing more rapidly than expected Dr Kim Holmen says “…we must adjust our understanding of the system and we must adjust our science and we must adjust our feelings for the nature around us." Dr Edmond Hansen mentions that by just looking at the graphs, the observations, you can see the ice melt is accelerating.
Different techniques are being used to monitor the ice melt. Most data comes from satellites. Other information used is collected by an icebreaker, Lance, that monitors the main route for the ice out of the Arctic Ocean. Another device is the EM-Bird, a torpedo shaped instrument flown above ice used to collect data about the difference in the level of seawater beneath the ice and the surface of the ice.
Ice has a reflective whiteness which sends radiation from the sun back into space. As the ice thins more light is absorbed and as it vanishes the oceans will increasingly absorb more heat.
Research has suggested that the reduction in sea ice will have an effect on the jet stream and high altitude wind that guides weather systems and storms. The changes will influence precipitation patterns, possibly increasing rainfall in northern Europe and southern Europe could be drier.
Since research is still in its early stages the topic of melting Arctic sea ice is interesting to me because new findings will be emerging and greater advances in technology will be happening to better understand the processes of the yearly melt and what the future holds.
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