Yet More Evidence

I have just read an article that links very nicely with a previous post regarding some of the problems with future predictions. The article used Alaska and stated that the future of glacial measurement was by using airborne laser altimetry to map the movement of glaciers over time (Arendt et al., 2002). The article by Chen et al. (2006) doesn’t use this airborne laser altimetry but instead uses satellite gravity measurements as an indication of the change in mass of the glacier.

Both studies looked at glacial melt in the Alaskan region of the world. Chen et al. (2006) uses results taken from 2001-2005 where as Arendt et al., (2002) uses data from the mid 90’s until 2000-2001. Slightly different periods of time but both of the experiments found very similar results. Chen et al (2006) found that observed glacial melting is -101+/-22km³/year a very similar result to Arendt et al’s (2002); who found that glacial melt was -95+/-35km³. The fact that both techniques found similar results highlights the rapid retreat that has been taking place over the last 2 decades. 100km³ is a large area of land and this melt water will no doubt be having a significant impact on sea level rise. The study by Chen et al (2006) shows the potential use of satellites in the future of the discipline. Unfortunately there is still much that needs developing and there are many error sources in the study, details of which are outlined in the study.

The graph below shows the mass balance changes around the world, with the data taken using the satellite gravity measurements. Taken from Chen et al. (2006).

My View

This short post highlights the fact that it is not just one technique that has found that such large amounts of glacial ice on the Alskan region of the world are dissapearing. Surely with so many studies concluding the same results the world will conlude on how to combat then ice melt and global sea level rise.