MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Ice losses in both caskets and rising sea level faster than estimated
Ice loss from Antarctica and Greenland has accelerated over the last 20 years, research shows, and will soon become the biggest driver of sea level rise. From satellite data and climate models, scientists calculate that the two polar ice sheets are losing enough ice to raise sea levels by 1.3mm each year. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesSea level is not rising by 3mm a year. This false figure arose in one fell swoop to double that of the tide gauges when they changed from tide gauges to satellite measurements in 1992, using the Topex satellite. The satellite cannot measure sea level when there is any land within the footprint because cannot tell land echoes from sea echoes and gives a false result. This means that all sea areas within 3 to 5 kilometres of continental coasts, islands, even atolls, are not covered. Also not covered is all oceanic area north of 66°N or south of 66°S, due to the angled track of the satellite. This results in the Arctic Ocean and the high-latitude part of the North Atlantic being excluded. Also excluded is much of the oceanic area surrounding Antarctica. Yet the claim of 3.2 mm is the one being advanced as demonstrating increasing sea level rise. These lies are endless. The Grace satellites also have problems and have not been in operation long enough for any meaningful conclusions to be drawn.
Mar 10th, 2011 - 12:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There was no significant increase in the rate of sea level rise over the past century. In 2007 S. J. Holgate of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Liverpool, UK, showed that the rates of sea level change observed over the past 20 years were not particularly unusual when compared to nearly continuous sea level records around the world for 1904–2003.” It was published in Geophysical Research Letters, vol 34, 2007.
His research demonstrated that “The rate of sea level change was larger in the early part of last century in comparison with the latter part.” Mean sea level rise was 1.74 mm per year, or just under seven inches for the whole century. “
Dennis (#1), you question the impact of ice-sheet melt on sea level. I have no problem with variance in estimates of impact on sea level for reasons some of which you identify.
Mar 10th, 2011 - 03:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I have some fundimental belief, however, that ice sheets ARE nett-melting atm. Liquid water follows its gravitational track to the sea and sooner or later affects the current condition. It may be simple water mass/volume change, water temperature/profile/current distribution, or it may be fertility/biosphere change ....... probably all of these and more.
The thing that really bothers me is RATE OF CHANGE.
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