Tough call. There aren't a lot of tasty seals on dry land, for one thing. Could they pick up a new food source that is high enough in fat to sustain them?Greg Bernhardt said:Anyone think small populations of polar bears could adapt and survive in northern greenland/canada if summer ice is scarce?
phyzguy said:I like this site. It has maps and graphs of the ice extent and in both the arctic and antarctic.
Pkruse said:This is hardly an unprecidented loss of sea ice. A thousand years ago the Vikings sailed the Artic pretty much unencumbered by ice. They gave Greenland its name because of its lush green pastor land. Then everything froze up and they abandoned that island. For the next 500 years everyone called it the little ice age, until recently when things began to warm up we started calling it global warming. Well, warming is what you expect when we come out of an ice age to re-establish what was normal several centuries ago.
Arctic Cyclone Breaks Up Sea Ice
A powerful storm wreaked havoc on the Arctic sea ice cover in August 2012. This visualization shows the strength and direction of the winds and their impact on the ice: ...cont'd.
Andre said:It appears that this NASA clip may be useful in this discussion.
Andre said:It appears that this NASA clip may be useful in this discussion.
However, the effects of an individual strong storm, like that observed in early August, can be complex. While much of the region influenced by the August cyclone experienced a sudden drop in temperature, areas influenced by winds from the south experienced a rise in temperature. Coincident with the storm, a large area of low concentration ice in the East Siberian Sea (concentrations typically below 50%) rapidly melted out. On three consecutive days (August 7, 8, and 9), sea ice extent dropped by nearly 200,000 square kilometers (77,220 square miles). This could be due to mechanical break up of the ice and increased melting by strong winds and wave action during the storm. However, it may be simply a coincidence of timing, given that the low concentration ice in the region was already poised to rapidly melt out.
http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2012/08/a-summer-storm-in-the-arctic/
When scientists say that Arctic ice is in uncharted territory, it means that the extent and thickness of the ice in the Arctic region has reached unprecedented levels. This is due to the increasing global temperatures and the melting of ice sheets, leading to a significant decrease in sea ice coverage.
The melting of Arctic ice has a profound impact on the environment. It can cause a rise in sea levels, leading to flooding in low-lying areas. It also disrupts the ocean currents, which can have a domino effect on global weather patterns. Additionally, the melting of Arctic ice can lead to the loss of habitat for Arctic animals, affecting their survival.
The melting of Arctic ice is primarily caused by the increasing global temperatures due to climate change. Other contributing factors include ocean currents, wind patterns, and changes in the Earth's tilt and orbit. Human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation also play a significant role in the melting of Arctic ice.
Scientists use various methods to study and monitor Arctic ice levels, including satellite imagery, on-site measurements, and computer models. They also use specialized tools such as ice-penetrating radar and buoys to collect data on ice thickness and movement. This data is then used to track changes in Arctic ice levels over time.
Slowing down the melting of Arctic ice requires a collective effort from individuals, governments, and industries. This includes reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and implementing sustainable practices. Additionally, protecting and preserving Arctic habitats and ecosystems can also help slow down the melting of Arctic ice.