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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Glaciers May Vanish in 'Geologic Instant'

Prehistoric glacier's rapid meltdown could happen again: researchers

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(Newser) – New data about a prehistoric Canadian glacier that rapidly vanished is giving scientists a stronger model to predict the radical effects of climate change. It's very possible that the same conditions could quickly shrink today's larger ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, prompting sea levels to soar in a "geographic instant," LiveScience reports. Greenland's Jakobshavn glacier so far is behaving most like the ancient glacier.

The region's biggest and fastest tidewater glacier, Jakobshavn is retreating at about 10 kilometers per decade. Scientists predict that rate will increase when the sheet hits deeper waters, which is exactly what happened with the Canadian glacier. "Even though the ice sheet retreat was ongoing throughout that whole period, the lion's share of the retreat occurred within as little as a few hundred years," warned the lead researcher.

The royal party on a boat trip to inspect the Jakobshavn Isbrae Glacier. Greenland's biggest glacier is behaving like an ancient Canadian one that rapidly vanished.
The royal party on a boat trip to inspect the Jakobshavn Isbrae Glacier. Greenland's biggest glacier is behaving like an ancient Canadian one that rapidly vanished.   (AP Photo/POLFOTO, Joergen Chemnitz)
If Antarctic glaciers retreat quickly, sea levels could rise at a rapid rate, researchers warn.
If Antarctic glaciers retreat quickly, sea levels could rise at a rapid rate, researchers warn.   (AP Photo/Charles J.Hanley)
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A lot of glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland are characteristic of the one we studied in the Canadian Arctic. Based on our findings, they, too, could retreat in a geologic instant.
- Jason Briner, lead author

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10 comments
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riffran
Jun 22, 09 5:48 AM CDT
well that should help out with the perceived impending water shortage...More liquid water in the biosphere, more plant growth, more crops, more food... Reply
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-6
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ultramarine13
Jun 22, 09 8:00 PM CDT
And rising sea levels mean New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans and a host of other coastal cities will be in danger of drowning. And, by the way, the water will be salt water, and therefore useless for drinking or irrigating crops.
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+1
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radnip
Jun 26, 09 6:06 AM CDT
Not to mention moving human populations generally mean war, or at least increased crime as discrimination and anger accompany the move.
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0
Timinator2K
Jun 22, 09 7:46 AM CDT
The time to get concerned is not with retreating glaciers but with rapidly advancing ones...that's trouble for everyone...and we won't need Al Gore running around screaming like the disingenuous twit he is. Reply
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-5
IN RESPONSE:
Amber
Jun 22, 09 9:41 AM CDT
Your still mad at Gore for dumping your Mom? I can't believe how you hold a grudge....
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+2

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