News

NASA Explains Melting Ice In Arctic & Increasing Sea Ice In Antarctic

By Brian McNeill | Update Date: May 24, 2016 06:00 AM EDT

Climate change is in focus again, something tied up to the increase in sea ice over in Antarctica. Such was singled out by NASA using combined sea data on sea temperature, land form and ocean depth, providing a better explanation on the difference.

NASA eventually singled out the geology of the region and ties up the Southern Ocean as a reason as to why Antarctica as seen an increase in sea ice cover. The two geological factors that they singled out include topography of the regions as well as the ocean surrounding it which is influenced by winds and currents.

"Our study provides strong evidence that the behaviour of Antarctic sea ice is entirely consistent with the geophysical characteristics found in the southern polar region, which differ sharply from those present in the Arctic," said NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Son Nghiem.

It should be noted that sea ice floats on the ocean and extends and contracts annually. They usually reach their peak in September. While they eventually come to the point of reaching their max point at that time, decline should have occurred as early as February (by at least 17%).

To date, that has been somewhat altered though scientists have come up with theories tying it all up with Climate Change.

Scientists point out the hole in the ozone layer as one probability affecting the South Pole, covering winds and that are tied up with the atmosphere. Second is the water running off Antarctica which may contribute to the less salty waters surrounding it.

As far as the ice build-up in the Antarctic, winds are seen as the key factor to it and the one behind the enhanced thickness. The ‘ice factories’ normally build up somewhere between 62 to 620 miles and usually protect thinner ice.

On the other hand, a better explanation as well was given on the melting ice over in the Arctic. The current conditions have apparently made it hard to create a shield and the thinner ice created is something that can be easily smashed by waves.

Add to that the fact that the Arctic Wind System (The Polar Express), pushes sea ice to warm currents that eventually ends up melting.

Given these developments, such is why climate change needs to be tackled. The Antractic and Antartic regions are just some of the occurrences that need attention but it will need the effort of everyone to make a difference.

© 2023 Counsel & Heal All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics