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https://www.sciencealert.com/sea-ice-surrounding-antarctica-hit-a-new-record-low-putting-ice-shelves-at-risk>
'The Antarctic Ocean area covered by ice has shrunk to a record low, exposing
the thicker ice shelves buttressing Antarctica's ground ice sheet to waves and
warmer temperatures, scientists reported Thursday.
The National Snow and Ice Data Center in the United States said Antarctica's
sea ice fell to 1.91 million square kilometers (737,000 square miles) this
week, the lowest extent since records began in 1979.
The previous all-time low was set last year.
"With a couple more weeks likely left in the melt season, the extent is
expected to drop further before reaching its annual minimum," the NSIDC said in
a statement.
Melting sea ice has no discernible impact on sea levels because the ice is
already in ocean water.
But the sea ice rings Antarctica's massive ice shelves, the extensions of the
freshwater glaciers that threaten catastrophic sea level rise over centuries if
they continue melting as global temperatures rise.'
Via Rixty Dixet.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
