Extent of Antarctic sea ice reaches record levels, scientists say

By Jane Ryan and Sam Ikin

Updated 15 Sep 2014, 7:29pmMon 15 Sep 2014, 7:29pm

Photo: An area about three times the size of Australia, in the Antarctic region, is now covered by sea ice. (British Antarctic Survey)
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  Map: Antarctica

Scientists say the extent of Antarctic sea ice cover is at its highest level since records began.

Satellite imagery reveals an area of about 20 million square kilometres covered by sea ice around the Antarctic continent.

Jan Lieser from the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) said the discovery was made two days ago.

"This is an area covered by sea ice which we've never seen from space before," he said.

"Thirty-five years ago the first satellites went up which were reliably telling us what area, two dimensional area, of sea ice was covered and we've never seen that before, that much area.

"That is roughly double the size of the Antarctic continent and about three times the size of Australia."

  Audio: Researchers argue the increase in sea ice does not negate the reality of global warming. (PM)

 

The formation of sea ice around Antarctica every year is one of the biggest seasonal events on Earth.

The ice is generated in what scientists refer to as "sea ice factories" or polynia  - areas of the ocean surface

where currents and wind patterns combine to generate sea ice.

 

Wow, you're way more clueless than I thought!  I was under the impression that you had a brain and used it, now I'm not so sure of either.  Geez, you have all the talking points lined right up.  Do yourself a favor and read something that contains actual science.

Here's a clue for ya:

 ...around the Antarctic continent

Travels I posted an article without saying my position one way or another.

You don't really know whether I agree with the article or disagree with it.

But you certainly made the fact that you are going to attack certain people no matter what they post very evident.

So, let me tell you exactly where you stand in my life.

You are a bitter, miserable, predisposed, insignificant piece of $hit...

Please let me know if you need further explanation,,,please note the word insignificant is in bold...

Have a nice day...

I know you don't believe in global warming, you listen to the rights talking heads to much. BTW, you have posted on here in the past that glabal warming isn't true.

BTW, you are showing your slip/hate ML.

and they way he speaks to women is disgusting, this forum is too permissive imo.

Well, to get back on topic!   Differences between the ice shelf, the glaciers and the sea ice are crucial to understanding what is happening in the Antarctic, due to climate change.  The glaciers are the mass of ice that occupies land, the ice shelves are extensions of the glaciers into the sea.  The glaciers and the ice shelves hold the majority of the water that, if melted, will add to the rising oceans in a big way.  The sea ice is seasonal and fueled by moisture in the atmosphere, hence more sea ice when land and shelf ice are melting at a rapid pace.  If the West Antarctic ice sheet melts (which has already started at the Thwaites and Pine Island Glaciers, the ice sheet could give) , it would raise sea levels to somewhere around 11'.  And we haven't even touched on Greenland!

So, if you buy all of the conspiracy theories about the "climate change hoax", buy some land along with it.  Put your money where your mouth is and buy up all the  coastal properties!

A little help with the terms:  http://ete.cet.edu/gcc/?/icecaps_icesheets

sorry gg, after your last fail on dodgy sources i don't bother to get any dumber by following your links, could well be a good one tho.

That's ok vk....  I don't read any of your cut and paste posts.

P.S.  It's a NASA site.

it's called substantiating my claims from credible sources, you should try it.