Melting Arctic Ice Increases Permafrost Thaw Farther Inland Than Previously Thought
by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY 
on 06.10.08
image: Andrew Davies via flickr
In one more example of the interwoven and far reaching consequences of climate change, a new study by the National Center for Atmospheric Research indicates that as Arctic sea ice starts melting more quickly, permafrost hundreds of miles inland could also see accelerated melting. This means climatic changes in Russia, Alaska and Canada could occur more quickly and dramatically than previously expected.
Record Arctic Ice Melting
As Treehugger reported, and as many readers are probably aware, the extent of summer melt-off of Arctic ice set a record last year: 30% below average. And from August to September air temperatures over land were 4°F higher than the 1978-2006 average. These two dramatic events were the impetus behind this research, to be published Friday in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
graphic courtesy NCAR
Rapid Ice Loss Equals Rapid Land Warming
The climate models the group used suggest that during periods of rapid sea-ice loss the rate of land warming up to 900 miles inland is 350% greater than the average 21st century warming rates as predicted by other models. This means that areas along the Arctic coasts could see temperatures rise by as much as 9°F (5°C).
When this happens the summer melting of permafrost accelerates so quickly and so deeply that it has the potential to not entirely refreeze the following winter. This in turn can sandwich a layer of defrosted soil between two soil layers, which can hasten the long-term melting in the area. Which in turn will hasten the release of greenhouse gases trapped in the soil and further accelerate the entire process.
via :: Reuters and the :: National Center for Atmospheric Research
Climate Change in the Arctic
Arctic Ice Cap Could Be Gone By The Summer
Arctic: Ice-Free by 2013?
Greenland Ice Melting At Record Rate
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Every year the scientists come out and tell us the same 3 things:
The universe is bigger than they thought last year,
There are more atoms in the universe than they thought last year,
and that global warming is happening ten times faster than they thought last year.
how about we actually start DOING something for a change.
Permafrost melting releases methane, which is of course 20 time more potent greenhouse gas than co2.
Just another little factor alot of people dont add to the climate change equation.
And should we tell them how MUCH methane there is in the world's permafrost?
Estimates range from between 3 and 20 trillion tons. And since methane is about 20 times more efficient than CO2 as a greenhouse gas that means we're talking 60-400 thousand gigatons of CO2 equivalent unless we burn it all as it is released. Remember, since the 1700's we have emitted, as a species, a total of couple of hundred gigatons of CO2. So at the most conservative estimate of how much methane there is, and if we convert it all to less-potent CO2, we are still talking about 10 times as much GHG as we have ever produced as a species.
Chew on that a bit.
and I thought it was bad news before I read Anthony's knowledgeable comment.
And our governments and industries think we need to something by 2020.
God help us.
Here`s a theory I have on what else "could happen" if all the ice at the poles melt: Earth spinninf off-axis. All of the weight accumulated in those regions are concentrated at the poles. Would the ice melting completely change the actual weight balance of the earth or is the point moot because the earth is suspended in zero gravity? Furthermore what kid of repercussions could a wobbly earth have?
I have a thought... How about using snow making machines to create a mist. These machines can blanket in an average of an acre of snow in 2 hours. I understand that the foot print would be inmense if we were to use fosil fuels.
But, I have an idea where one could harness unlimited amounts of energy using air and water pressure to create the power required to run these machines 24hrs a day for the rest of the century. I personally have created a prototype where pressure is used and the water is recycled at a higher level. Once the water is pooled its weight would create enough pressure to power the water turbines necessary to feed the snow makers....
Does anyone know of a sponsor who would be willing to take on my idea?