http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2006/2006GL027341.shtml
Abrupt decline in the Arctic winter sea ice cover
Josefino C. Comiso
Cryospheric Sciences Branch, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center,
Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
Abstract
Although the Arctic perennial ice cover has been on a rapid decline,
the winter ice cover had been unexpectedly stable. We report and
provide insights into a remarkable turn of events, with the observation
of record low ice extent and area during the winters of 2005 and 2006.
Negative ice anomalies in these years are prevalent in the peripheral
seas but are most dominant in the eastern Arctic basin where the
perennial ice becomes even more vulnerable to further decline. Overall,
the winter ice anomalies correlate well with surface temperature
anomalies and wind circulation patterns. Since historical satellite
data indicate a positive trend in winter temperatures and a negative
trend in the length of seasonal ice growth period, it is likely that
the winter ice cover will continue to retreat in the near future.
Results suggest that the expected warming impact of greenhouse gases is
becoming apparent in the Arctic during the dark winter months.
Received 23 June 2006; accepted 24 August 2006; published 30 September
2006
That seems to confirm the Maslowski observation I quoted earlier.
William, what's happening under the Antarctic floating ice? Do you
know anything about use of remote submersibles to investigate the
margin of the grounded ice, whether it's melting underneath at the
interface? I recall mention of that a year or so ago but haven't seen
any mention since.
Are the world's navies cooperating with the ice surveys publicly at all?
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