The increase in the average temperature of the planet and the thaw in the poles are central themes of climate change. Regions such as Antarctica are heated almost twice as quickly as the global average, which generates serious consequences. In this context, data that show an increase in Antarctic sea ice at certain times of the year. How is it possible if climate change accelerates thaw?
In this ecology article, we offer you a series of Data on the thaw of the polesdata to clarify the issue about the increase (at certain times of the year) of the ice around the ice cream continent and other factors related to climate change.
What is the thaw of the poles
To begin with, it is convenient to know what exactly the thaw of the planet’s poles is. Thus, the thaw of this part of the earth is about Derret of the ice of the polesthe loss of ice that becomes water that increases the level of oceans and seas.
Keep in mind that thaw is a natural process, since the earth has had times of glaciation as well as heating. However, the current problem occurs because this melting of the poles It is producing much faster than normaldue to the great and polluting human activity, which accelerates global warming. Therefore, we can say that this thaw is not totally given naturally and, therefore, it becomes a serious and urgent problem for humans and the rest of living beings that inhabit the planet. A clear example is the situation of the polar bear, which is on its way to extinction.
Is the polar bear in danger of extinction? Discover the answer reading this ecology article that we suggest.
Antarctica or South Pole is heated at a very fast pace
The waters of the Antarctica They heat faster than the global average. The entire planet is heated and, of course, so does the area of Antarctica, the southern pole of the planet. But the ocean that surrounds the continent of the South Pole has been heating faster than the rest of the oceans of the world since the 1950s, at a rate of 0.17 ºC, while the world average has been 0.1 ºC.
Here you can know the Flora and Fauna of Antarctica.
Generalized thaw throughout the planet
In the rest of the world a general thaw occurs. The flood of Antarctic sea ice does not compensate for loss of sea ice in the Arctic. In total terms, sea ice has decreased constantly since 1979. To that we must add that ice is lost in Greenland and in the glaciers. Thus, it can be said that The earth is getting rid by leaps and bounds.
In fact the Earth There is already a hottest 1 ºC That in the last century, in the period of 1850 and 1900. For this reason, in 2015, 196 countries signed the Paris Agreement so that our planet did not increase a 1.5 ºC, or 2 ° C, its temperature. If this temperature is exceeded, we would lose the ice that surrounds us in the year 2060, approximately.
This general loss of the ice cover causes the land surface to reflect less solar energy, which reinforces global warming and, therefore, the process feeds, that is, the thaw will continue and, probably, at a higher speed. All this thaw affects sea level, which increases also more and more accelerated.
In spite of all these data contrasted by scientists, obvious evidence that, not only there is a global warming, but, in addition, it is accelerating in recent times, some media continue to remove importance to the consequences of climate change.
In this article you can see what are the consequences of the thaw in the poles.
Paradoxically the ice increases in Antarctica
Despite the rapid warming, There is more Antarctic sea ice. On September 26, 2012, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) of the United States, confirmed that Antarctic sea ice reached an record extension of 19.44 million square kilometers.
Scientists believe that the cause of this increase is the wind. Sea ice trends are closely linked to local winds. Especially, it is due to the Cambling force of cold winds They carry the ice away from the coast and are able to freeze the water. A new study indicates that the ozone hole of the southern hemisphere can also be affecting the phenomenon.
Most of the Antarctic ice is on the ground. There is a lot lately talk about sea ice, but most of the Antarctic ice is the one that is in a vast extension that covers the earth’s surface and that extends to the surrounding ocean, which is known, all of it, as Antarctic ice layer.
On the other hand, according to satellite measurements, since 2002 the mass of the Antarctic ice layer is decreasing at a rate of 100 cubic kilometers per year on average. In fact, in 2016 there was a sudden thaw, until in 2020 the normality was recovered again. In 2022, Antarctica’s sea ice reached its minimum since 1979, which was when the measurements began. In a record moment of high temperatures, an ice platform of more than 1,000 km² collapsed.
Marine thaw in the Arctic or North Pole
In the Arctic, something very different happens because most of the region is ocean. Antarctica is a dough of earth surrounded by the ocean, while the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by earth. Therefore, behaviors before the climate are different.
In the Arctic, Floating sea ice melts As a direct result of Water heating And the wind affects very little in this case. In September 2021, Arctic Marine ice reached its lowest point since satellite records began, in 1979, since it was reduced to 4.72 million square kilometers. October 2021 until September 2022 The North Pole air were the most warm sixth since 1900. The Arctic air temperatures have heated much faster than the average world.
Here you can read what animals live in the North Pole.
More recent data on the thaw of the poles
Data on the thaw of the poles that are more recent indicate that, in the case of Antarctica, the larger glacier, known as The Tottenwhich is 130 km long and 30 km wide, it is melting due to the increase in ocean temperature.
Another of the largest glaciers, called Smith, has decreased its size in recent years. Specifically, The Smith glacier has lost 2 km of surface per year, until reaching lose 35 km of surface. In fact, in the last 30 years the Earth has lost 28,000 million tons of ice, which represents 65%.
Currently, unfortunately, NASA has announced that it seems that we have reached the point that The thawing situation of Antarctica is irreversible. He September 10, 2023 Antarctica (South Pole) reached its Lower Marine Ice Extension Of all its recorded history. This happened when it should be growing at a good pace because they had just finished the coldest months.
If you want to read more articles similar to Data on the thaw of the poleswe recommend that you enter our category of climate change.
- Mersmann, K. (September 25, 2023). POT. Arctic Sea 6th Lowest on Record; Antarctic sees Low Growth. Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/cens-and-facilities/goddard/ARCTIC-sea-ce-6th-lwest-on-record-arntctic-sees-record-low-growth/
- Badillo, R. (September 26, 2023). The confidential. A NASA report warns: Arctic and Antarctica are in historical minimums. Available at: https://www.elconfidencial.com/tecnologia/2023-09-26/informe-nasa-hielo-artico-antartida_3742709/


