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See the original image at img79.imageshack.us —

Google Earth shows Arctic Ice Cap now COMPLETELY GONE

img79.imageshack.us — can anyone explain to me why I can find one ice cap but not the other on Google Earth? This screenshot has not been altered in any way - here is another screenshot closer up to show that I haven't doctored this image: http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/2497/ googleearthproarcticicegk8.jpg Somebody tell me what I'm missing here. DL Google Earth

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  • kemp34, on 07/04/2008, -0/+5I'd like to see the Antarctic too.
  • Erich100, on 07/04/2008, -1/+6Where is the flooding we were promised?
  • CrazyLadyMom, on 07/04/2008, -2/+1Actually, as far as I have heard, the melting of the arctic itself will only account for a 2 inches of sea rise.

    The problem comes in when the basic properties of light are examined. White ice caps, covering a significant section of the ocean will reflect many of the rays of light off the planet. The issue we have is that once the north melts away completely, whether its already occured, or will occur in the years to come, with the ice no longer present the ocean will absorb a much larger portion of the light, and thusly the heat from this will accelerate the general warming of the ocean itself.

    Please understand, the arctic ice cap disapearing in and of itself, is historical event. Already new paths are opened allowing ships to shave several 1000 miles off the trip, and of course the oil giants are also quite content with the increasing access to the area also. The changes in the state of arctic regardless of flooding is disturbing given that to my understanding it has not occured anytime in recorded history, certainly not in modern history. I'd personally say, if this event does infact occur it vindicates the people who have called it long ago. It also bears a concern to look closer at the next things in sequence of the arctic melting and the impending consequences for further inaction.

    If the arctic melts completely and can no longer reflect the light, as said at this point it might go somewhat unnoticed where the ice adds only 2 inches or so of extra water. The oceans continuing to warm however, will likley cause problems for the plants and life that exists and depends on the certain conditions the ocean offers. If the ecosystem becomes inbalanced in the ocean that itself can have bad enough consequences, as much of life is interdependant on the ecosystem in its intact form.

    As if unpredictable inbalance in the ecosystem itself isn't bad enough, the ocean itself warming in temperature as well as the overall temperature increases on global scales (Which will disturb ecosystems in itself as well,) this will begin to melt other ice like greenland, and permafrost in other areas in the north, from Canada, to Siberia and Europe.

    In turn the ice in greenland melting would be the real problem for flooding, as it could add a somewhat more alarming 20 odd feet in general sea level rise. The permafrost itself once melted will release carbons into our atmosphere which again accelerate global climate change. Likewise, I'd imagine once greenland melts this will again be more area that no longer reflect the light but rather will now allow the ocean to absorb more light and thus heat.

    If the arctic has indeed melted away completely this summer, it would beat initial estimates, and knowing many of these estimates don't take things into effect like clear cutting, like in BC and Alberta, the trees which absorb alot of carbon from the air over their lifetime are now releasing it back as plagues of locast like beetles have exploded in population and subsequently destroyed (and prompted further destruction in control attempts), large sections of forest.

    Of the 150,000+ patches of permafrost and places which remain frozen year around, almost all of these have shown a trend of recession and are all showing the signs of the warming climate.

    I believe fatlady is singing, but nobody wants to listen.

    Edit - Heres some info on it: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/ ...



    • jackal42, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1Sea will absorb more heat? Heat from atmosphere into sea?

      ***** YES global warming solved.
  • wille1623, on 07/04/2008, -1/+5Al Gore is outraged.
  • WallnutBoy, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1I think I speak for everyone when I say..

    OH SHI-
  • MedicalMatt, on 07/05/2008, -1/+1OMG and cloud systems are COMPLETELY GONE!
  • kevman459, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1The images Google Earth uses aren't updated every day, or even every year, odds are that picture is 3+ years old.
    They probably just didn't have any accurate or hi-res pictures to use so they just excluded it.
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