Chessplayer 3h ago

It is interesting how the long-term graphs for Arctic ice and Antarctic ice go in opposite directions.

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rockyrex  Chessplayer 3h ago

It's a good question.

So what is going on around Antarctica?

The Antarctic is a continent covered by ice, unlike the ocean in the Arctic.

The sea ice surrounding Antarctica melts almost to the coast each summer.

The winter sea ice has increased by around 1 % over the last few decades.

This is due to complex processes, linked to the melting of the land ice on Antarctica.

Seawater does not freeze until around minus 2 degrees C - because it is salty....this effect, of course, is used to help defrost roads.

However, the melt-water off Antarctica’s ice sheets is freshwater.

Freshwater has a low density, so it forms a layer on top of the sea.

Freshwater freezes (of course) at zero degrees C so the top layer of fresh water freezes more easily than normal seawater.

Also wind-chill helps to freeze that top layer.

So.... to summarize ....

1. Fresh water from the melting ice on land has a lower density than salt water, so it floats on the sea.

2. Fresh water freezes at zero C, but salt water freezes at lower temperatures, so the new fresh layer can freeze on top of non-frozen sea water.

Both these points are basic school physics.

Isn't science fascinating? (answer!!)

source: comments page, http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/28/arctic-sea-ice-record-low-winter

And yet Antarctica has a net increase in ice mass. Curious eh?

What has happened to The Garudians fabled "Climate Consensus - the 97%"? Ran out of con?

lee wrote on Mar 30^th, 2016 at 11:59am:

And yet Antarctica has a net increase in ice mass. Curious eh? What has happened to The Garudians fabled "Climate Consensus - the 97%"? Ran out of con?

Antarctica is in the Southern Hemisphere: it's been known for a hundred years that the northern hemisphere is warmer than the southern hemisphere and why that is makes the basis of all climate science.

To talk about Antarctica avoids talking about the Arctic: you're very welcome to make your point but I'm equally welcome to say you're avoiding talking about the Arctic.

:)

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Mar 30^th, 2016 at 11:39pm:

Antarctica is in the Southern Hemisphere: it's been known for a hundred years that the northern hemisphere is warmer than the southern hemisphere and why that is makes the basis of all climate science. To talk about Antarctica avoids talking about the Arctic: you're very welcome to make your point but I'm equally welcome to say you're avoiding talking about the Arctic.

Apart from two references to the Arctic, in the first sentence of the red section and in the third sentence of the green section, the rest seems to solely talk about Antarctica.

I was merely commenting on the bulk of your post. perhaps you didn't read it?

lee wrote on Mar 31^st, 2016 at 11:19am:

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Mar 30th, 2016 at 11:39pm: Antarctica is in the Southern Hemisphere: it's been known for a hundred years that the northern hemisphere is warmer than the southern hemisphere and why that is makes the basis of all climate science. To talk about Antarctica avoids talking about the Arctic: you're very welcome to make your point but I'm equally welcome to say you're avoiding talking about the Arctic. Apart from two references to the Arctic, in the first sentence of the red section and in the third sentence of the green section, the rest seems to solely talk about Antarctica. I was merely commenting on the bulk of your post. perhaps you didn't read it?

Whereas you avoid talking about the Arctic altogether!

Deny Deny Deny: it isn't a very high paying job to do the same thing over and over and over!

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Mar 31^st, 2016 at 11:48am:

Whereas you avoid talking about the Arctic altogether!

Sorry, I thought the Arctic was already ice free. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

lee wrote on Mar 31^st, 2016 at 12:59pm:

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Mar 31st, 2016 at 11:48am: Whereas you avoid talking about the Arctic altogether! Sorry, I thought the Arctic was already ice free. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

why would the ice cover anywhere in the world concern you lee?

Do you ski?

lee wrote on Mar 31^st, 2016 at 12:59pm:

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Mar 31st, 2016 at 11:48am: Whereas you avoid talking about the Arctic altogether! Sorry, I thought the Arctic was already ice free. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

The arctic is not ice free as you well know: all you have is obfuscation and kindergarten politics because you are from planet accountant and this world and all it's children mean nothing to you!

In otherwords: you are satans kiddie fiddler spawn!

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Mar 31^st, 2016 at 3:03pm:

The arctic is not ice free as you well know:

But that's what the alarmists predicted for years. Are you saying I shouldn't trust alarmists? :D :D :D :D :D

lee wrote on Mar 31^st, 2016 at 3:09pm:

BatteriesNotIncluded wrote on Mar 31st, 2016 at 3:03pm: The arctic is not ice free as you well know: But that's what the alarmists predicted for years. Are you saying I shouldn't trust alarmists? :D :D :D :D :D

I don't!