{"id":115825,"date":"2009-12-30T13:05:49","date_gmt":"2009-12-30T18:05:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nw0.eu\/2009\/12\/30\/usgs-arctic-sea-too-warm-for-sea-ice-3-million-years-ago.html"},"modified":"2009-12-30T13:05:49","modified_gmt":"2009-12-30T18:05:49","slug":"usgs-arctic-sea-too-warm-for-sea-ice-3-million-years-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/115825","title":{"rendered":"USGS: Arctic sea too warm for sea ice 3 million years ago"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n

Watts Up With That?<\/a>
\nWednesday, Dec 30th, 2009<\/p>\n

This is a paleoclimatology finding, with current spin added. I guess they haven\u2019t seen the latest on the NAO and AO<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"USGS:<\/a> SST 3 million YA \u2013 click to enlarge <\/div>\n

USGS Press Release<\/strong><\/a>: Arctic Could Face Warmer and Ice-Free Conditions<\/p>\n

Released: 12\/29\/2009 6:20:34 AM<\/p>\n

\n

There is increased evidence that the Arctic could face seasonally
\nice-free conditions and much warmer temperatures in the future.<\/p>\n

Scientists documented evidence that the Arctic Ocean and Nordic Seas
\nwere too warm to support summer sea ice during the mid-Pliocene warm
\nperiod (3.3 to 3 million years ago). This period is characterized by
\nwarm temperatures similar to those projected for the end of this
\ncentury, and is used as an analog to understand future conditions.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Geological Survey found that summer sea-surface
\ntemperatures in the Arctic were between 10 to 18\u00b0C (50 to 64\u00b0F)
\nduring the mid-Pliocene, while current temperatures are around or below
\n0\u00b0C (32\u00b0F). <\/span><\/p>\n

Examining past climate conditions allows for a true understanding of
\nhow Earth\u2019s climate system really functions. USGS research on the
\nmid-Pliocene is the most comprehensive global reconstruction for any
\nwarm period. This will help refine climate models, which currently
\nunderestimate the rate of sea ice loss in the Arctic.<\/p>\n

Loss of sea ice could have varied and extensive consequences, such
\nas contributions to continued Arctic warming, accelerated coastal
\nerosion due to increased wave activity, impacts to large predators
\n(polar bears and seals) that depend on sea ice cover, intensified
\nmid-latitude storm tracks and increased winter precipitation in western
\nand southern Europe, and less rainfall in the American west.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn looking back 3 million years, we see a very different
\npattern of heat distribution than today with much warmer waters in the
\nhigh latitudes,\u201d said USGS scientist Marci Robinson. \u201cThe
\nlack of summer sea ice during the mid-Pliocene suggests that the
\nrecord-setting melting of Arctic sea ice over the past few years could
\nbe an early warning of more significant changes to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Global average surface temperatures during the mid-Pliocene were
\nabout 3\u00b0C (5.5\u00b0F) greater than today and within the range
\nprojected for the 21st century by the Intergovernmental Panel on
\nClimate Change.<\/p>\n

Read the full article at http:\/\/micropress.org\/stratigraphy\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[ PDF is here http:\/\/micropress.org\/stratigraphy\/papers\/Stratigraphy_6_4_265-275.pdf<\/a> – Anthony ]<\/p>\n

Scientists studied conditions during the mid-Pliocene by analyzing
\nfossils dated back to this time period. The USGS led this research
\nthrough the Pliocene Research, Interpretation and Synoptic Mapping
\ngroup. The primary collaborators in PRISM are Columbia University,
\nBrown University, University of Leeds, University of Bristol, the
\nBritish Geological Survey and the British Antarctic Survey. Learn more
\nabout PRISM research<\/a>.<\/p>\n

USGS provides science for a changing world. For more information, visit www.usgs.gov<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Related Posts:<\/h3>\n