Western Antarctica experiences rapid warming

[truebluefan]

The western part of Antarctica is warming three times faster than the average global temperature increase.

Average summer temperature recordings from the Byrd Station on the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) have increased by 4.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 degrees Celsius) since 1958. The finding raises concerns about Antarctic ice melt contributing to increasing sea levels.

"Our record suggests that continued summer warming in West Antarctica could upset the surface mass balance of the ice sheet, so that the region could make an even bigger contribution to sea level rise than it already does," says David Bromwich, senior research scientist at the Byrd Polar Research Centre.

"Even without generating significant mass loss directly, surface melting on the WAIS could contribute to sea level indirectly, by weakening the West Antarctic ice shelves that restrain the region's natural ice flow into the ocean."

Read more at http://www.tgdaily.com/sustainabili...experiences-rapid-warming#4uDhxDkgoR7jx0A7.99