Scientists are comparing old and new data to analyse the changes that occurred
in the continent of Antarctic over the past decades. They are extracting the 3D
data from these pictures by creating a new elevation model of the area, using
the latest optical satellite data and current aerial photos.
This study is being conduct by British Antarctic
Survey (BAS), Newcastle University and University of Gloucestershire and is yet
to be completed. However, they have already found very interesting facts; such
as how some glaciers seem to have thickened at the rear as their fronts have dramatically retreated.
Stadium glacier 1957-2003: Blue line shows the old ice front and blue dots show thickening at higher elevations (photo and text from BBC website)
The Antarctic Peninsula - the northernmost part of the
mainland of Antarctica - has experienced significant warming in recent decades.
That is why this study is so important, by understanding the climate changes
that has occurred in that area in the past, scientists will be able to create
new models to estimate the contribution of ice loss to processes such as sea
level rise.
"We need to
understand what's happened in the past, going back over multiple decades, to
give us the foundation to anchor these models and, in so doing, reduce the
uncertainties associated with them”, says Dr Pauline Miller from Newcastle
University.
I personally think this is an incredible study and of
such vital importance for the environment. If these scientists are able to map
the patterns of climate change in Antarctic and understand why and how the
glaciers are retreating so rapidly, they may be able to come up with some ideas
to slow down this process. They may also be able to present to government and
business leaders around the world a more accurate forecast on global warming
and how fast and severely this will impact the environment and humanity. Perhaps
then, these leaders may come up with a real plan to reduce the carbon dioxide
emissions around the world. One can only hope…
Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30471542#
There is still a lot of research to be done on the topic of global warming. I believe that the melting of glaciers may not be as affected by pollution as a lot of people believe, but instead the heating and cooling patterns of the earth and solar flares from the sun. However there is still a lot more to be discovered about climate change and if it is due to carbon emissions then more needs to be done to help reduce the amounts being released into the environment by humans.
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