Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

November 20, 2008 10:26:13 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Antarctica Speeds Into Trouble

Posted Jan 14, 08 11:35 AM CST in Science & Health,  World 

(Newser) – Parts of Antarctica thought to be unaffected by global warming are in fact melting as the temperature of the oceans rises, and in parts of the continent, annual ice loss has jumped 140% in the past decade, new research shows. Satellite mapping shows change on a previously unimagined scale, reports the Washington Post. The findings suggest a "frightening" possibility of major ice loss at both poles, experts say.

Widespread polar ice melt could lead to potentially catastrophic rises in sea levels. "Both Greenland and the West Antarctic ice sheet are huge bodies of ice which are sitting on land," said the chief of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "If, through a process of melting, they collapse and are submerged in the sea, then we are talking about sea-level rises of several meters."

Source Washington Post

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Ancient Antarctic Volcano May Be Linked to Warming

    Jan 21, 08 4:03 AM CST
    Ancient Antarctic Volcano May Be Linked to Warming The discovery of what scientists are hailing as the first evidence of a volcanic eruption under Antarctica’s massive ice sheet may be linked to climate change, the BBC reports. British researchers, who discovered evidence of a volcano by analyzing radar data from an air survey, believe the eruption likely happened some 2,000 years ago and ripped through its ice ceiling, spouting steam and rocky debris into the air. More »

A wind generator (L) dominates the skyline of the Australian research station. New studies show that western Antarctica is losing ice more rapidly that expected and the rate of loss has doubled in the...   (Getty Images)
New studies show that western Antarctica is losing ice more rapidly that expected and the rate of loss has doubled in the last ten years.   ((c) zutalegh)
New studies show that western Antarctica is losing ice more rapidly that expected and the rate of loss has doubled in the last ten years.   (Getty Images)
An Australian research station in Anarctica. New studies show that western Antarctica is losing ice more rapidly that expected and the rate of loss has doubled in the last ten years.   (Getty Images)
A King Penguin waddles across the Antarctic ice. New studies show that western Antarctica is losing ice more rapidly that expected and the rate of loss has doubled in the last ten years.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Bipolar Meltdown

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Antarctica • Greenland • ice melt • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change • Jet Propulsion Laboratory • western Antarctic ice sheet • Nature Geoscience


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »