‘Extreme' Changes Underway in Some of Antarctica’s Biggest Glaciers

A new analysis of satellite data has found "extreme" changes underway at eight of Antarctica's major glaciers, as unusually warm ocean water slips in under their ice shelves.

Antarctica's glaciers carry ice from the interior of the
continent to the ocean. This NASA illustration shows
where the ice is moving fastest; areas in red have the
fastest flow, followed by those in pink and purple. 

The warmer water is eating away at the glaciers' icy grasp on the seafloor. As a result, the grounding line—where the ice last touches bedrock—has been receding by as much as 600 feet per year, a new study shows. Behind the grounding line, the land-based ice then speeds up, increasing the rate of sea level rise.

The new continent-wide measurements of grounding lines suggests a widespread pattern of melting all around Antarctica, said University of Leeds climate researcher Hannes Konrad, lead author of the analysis published today in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience.

Read the Inside Climate News story Bob Berwyn - “‘Extreme' Changes Underway in Some of Antarctica’s Biggest Glaciers.”

‘Unusually large' cyclone churns through the Antarctic sea ice

An unusually large cyclone has been buffeting the Antarctic coast this week, shifting sea ice that had already been tracking at record-low levels.

A cyclone spins in the Ross Sea off Antarctica.

While the storm in the Ross Sea is unrelated to events formed in the tropics, the cyclone is being watched closely by experts trying to understand how developments in the far south affect the wider climate in the southern hemisphere and beyond.

Read Peter Hannam’s story from today’s Melbourne Age - “‘Unusually large' cyclone churns through the Antarctic sea ice.”

Victoria weather: Severe weather warning issued for damaging, destructive winds

A severe weather warning for damaging and destructive winds has been issued for much of Victoria on Saturday, with the state also expecting unusually warm winter temperatures.

A warning for damaging winds has
been issued for a large part of Victoria.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Saturday would be the windiest day so far this winter, with damaging winds of 60 to 70 kilometres per hour expected for many areas including Melbourne, Hamilton, Stawell, Kyneton, Ballarat, Geelong, Wonthaggi and Falls Creek.

Stephen King from the BoM said peak gusts in those areas could reach 100kph.

"Victoria [is] expecting the windiest day this winter," he said.

"We're expecting winds to strengthen early Saturday morning in the western and central districts, and it'll reach the eastern parts of Victoria by early afternoon.

Read the ABC News story - “Victoria weather: Severe weather warning issued for damaging, destructive winds.”