Scientists discover cavity two-thirds the size of Manhattan underneath Antarctic glacier

A gigantic cavity almost 300 metres tall and two-thirds the size of Manhattan has been discovered growing at the bottom of a glacier in West Antarctica.

The huge cavity is one of several disturbing findings
from a NASA-led study of the disintegrating glacier.

The Thwaites Glacier — which is itself more than twice the size of Tasmania — is currently responsible for approximately 4 per cent of global sea level rise.

The NASA-led study expected to find a few gaps between the ice and the bedrock underneath the glacier, where ocean water could flow in and melt it from below — but researchers said the size and explosive growth rate of the cavity took them by surprise.

They think it would have contained 14 billion tonnes of ice, and said most of that ice melted over the past three years.

Read the ABC News story - “Scientists discover cavity two-thirds the size of Manhattan underneath Antarctic glacier.”

National Park is seeing record-breaking crowds because of climate change

A record-breaking 1 million people visited Glacier in July, up 23 percent from last year. Park officials are stuck dealing with overcrowded parking lots, more medical emergencies, and a shortage of open campsites.

Mark Zuckerberg looks out the window at Glacier National Park.

While the number of visitors has fluctuated in past decades, it’s been on the rise over the past five years.

Some attribute the park’s popularity to low gas prices (perfect for road trips!) and all the envy-inducing photos making their way to Instagram, while others blame our old pal climate change:

All but 26 of the 150 glaciers that existed in Glacier National Park in the late 1800s have melted away, and scientists say it’s “inevitable”we’ll lose the rest. Such predictions have prompted a wave of “doomsday tourists” who want to catch a glimpse of climate change in action.

Read the Business Insider story by Kate Yoder - “National Park is seeing record-breaking crowds because of climate change.”

Doubters, deniers are on a 'shrinking island' - Barack Obama

D

oubters, deniers and others uncomfortable about global warming, need to spend 25 minutes listening to U.S. president, Barack Obama, discussing the issue at the recent GLACIER conference.

The late-August Conference on Global Leadership in the Arctic: Cooperation, Innovation, Engagement and Resilience, or GLACIER, highlighted international and domestic priorities in the Arctic.

The global leadership focus on the Arctic was intended to generate momentum and expedite progress in addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the region

Watch and listen to the president -“The President Addresses the GLACIER Conference”.