Earth Observatory News: NASA News Archive

jgills240 · 03-26-2007, 12:14 PM

March 23, 2007

GRAVITY MEASUREMENTS HELP MELT ICE MYSTERIES

Greenland is cold and hot. It's a deep freezer storing 10 percent of Earth's ice and a subject of fevered debate. If something should melt all that ice, global sea level could rise as much as 7 meters (23 feet). Greenland and Antarctica - Earth's two biggest icehouses - are important indicators of climate change and a high priority for research, as highlighted by the newly inaugurated International Polar Year.

Just a few years ago, the world's climate scientists predicted that Greenland wouldn't have much impact at all on sea level in the coming decades. But recent measurements show that Greenland's ice cap is melting much faster than expected.

...

Grace measurements have revealed that in just four years, from 2002 to 2006, Greenland lost between 150 and 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year. One cubic kilometer is equal to about 264 billion gallons of water. That's enough melting ice to account for an increase in global sea level of as much as 0.5 millimeters (0.019 inches) per year, according to Isabella Velicogna and John Wahr of the University of Colorado, Boulder. They published their results in the scientific journal Nature last fall. Since global sea level has risen an average of three millimeters (0.1 inch) per year since 1993, Greenland's rapidly increasing contribution can't be overlooked.

qbee42 · 03-26-2007, 01:25 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Mar 26 2007, 01:14 PM) [snapback]412367[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Grace measurements have revealed that in just four years, from 2002 to 2006, Greenland lost between 150 and 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year.
[/b]

That's almost enough ice to fill one of those Sam's Club soda cups.

Tom

tripp · 03-26-2007, 02:03 PM

Life at a mile above sea level does have its advantages.

jgills240 · 03-26-2007, 11:04 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Mar 26 2007, 01:25 PM) [snapback]412414[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

That's almost enough ice to fill one of those Sam's Club soda cups.

Tom
[/b]

yea, and i'm sure all that fresh water won't affect the saline level of the north Atlantic at all...

Godiva · 03-27-2007, 12:06 AM

But you can't assume the melting rate will remain constant. It could accelerate.

I think the map I used with to either 9 meters or 12 meters. Can't remember. But I'm still safe. My house is on a plateau. (But Coronado is in the drink and Pt. Loma becomes an island. No more Lindbergh Field but we've still got three other airports. San Diego might get Miramar for a new airport yet.

03-26-2007, 12:14 PM	#1
jgills240 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: the desert, CA Posts: 189 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	March 23, 2007 GRAVITY MEASUREMENTS HELP MELT ICE MYSTERIES Greenland is cold and hot. It's a deep freezer storing 10 percent of Earth's ice and a subject of fevered debate. If something should melt all that ice, global sea level could rise as much as 7 meters (23 feet). Greenland and Antarctica - Earth's two biggest icehouses - are important indicators of climate change and a high priority for research, as highlighted by the newly inaugurated International Polar Year. Just a few years ago, the world's climate scientists predicted that Greenland wouldn't have much impact at all on sea level in the coming decades. But recent measurements show that Greenland's ice cap is melting much faster than expected. ... Grace measurements have revealed that in just four years, from 2002 to 2006, Greenland lost between 150 and 250 cubic kilometers (36 to 60 cubic miles) of ice per year. One cubic kilometer is equal to about 264 billion gallons of water. That's enough melting ice to account for an increase in global sea level of as much as 0.5 millimeters (0.019 inches) per year, according to Isabella Velicogna and John Wahr of the University of Colorado, Boulder. They published their results in the scientific journal Nature last fall. Since global sea level has risen an average of three millimeters (0.1 inch) per year since 1993, Greenland's rapidly increasing contribution can't be overlooked. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Forecast Earth Video: Interesting news about Hybrids, SUV sales, Wind Power in India etc.	Screwdriver	Prius and Hybrid News	0	11-08-2006 04:51 PM
Good news, bad news	Festus	Prius Main Forum	45	10-17-2006 06:18 PM
Bad News! Good News!	GEB	Order Tracking	2	07-26-2004 11:53 PM
More GM News	locosol96	Other Cars	0	12-31-1969 07:00 PM

03-26-2007, 02:03 PM	#3
tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,772 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	Life at a mile above sea level does have its advantages.

03-27-2007, 12:06 AM	#5
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 10,008 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 3 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	But you can't assume the melting rate will remain constant. It could accelerate. I think the map I used with to either 9 meters or 12 meters. Can't remember. But I'm still safe. My house is on a plateau. (But Coronado is in the drink and Pt. Loma becomes an island. No more Lindbergh Field but we've still got three other airports. San Diego might get Miramar for a new airport yet.