|
16 Oct 08 - A bitterly cold Alaskan summer has had
surprising results. For the first time in the area's recorded history,
area glaciers have begun to expand rather than shrink. Summer
temperatures, which were some 3 degrees below average, allowed record
levels of winter snow to remain much longer, leading to the increase in
glacial mass.
Since 1946, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has maintained a research
project measuring the state of Alaskan glaciers. This year saw records
broken for most snow buildup. It was also the first time since any
records began being that the glaciers did not shrink during the summer
months.
Those records date from the mid 1700s, when the region was first visited
by Russian explorers.
According to glaciologist Bruce Molnia, a
difference of just 3 or 4 degrees is enough to shift the mass balance of
glaciers from rapid shrinkage to rapid growth. From the 1600s to the
1900s, that’s just the amount of warming that was seen, as the planet
exited the Little Ice Age.
Molnia says one cold summer doesn't mean the start
of a new climatic trend. At least years like this, however, might mark
the beginning of another Little Ice Age.
http://www.dailytech.com/Alaskan+Glaciers+Grow+for+First+Time+in+250+years/article13215.htm
Thanks to Wanda for this link |
