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Related: About this forumIceland is melting so fast, it’s literally popping off the planet
http://qz.com/336517/iceland-is-melting-so-fast-its-literally-popping-off-the-planet/Iceland is rising. Or, more precisely, the islands ice part is shrinking, causing the land part to rebound from the Earths crusta process thats happening at a pace much faster than scientists had previously realized. In fact, its glaciers are melting so swiftly that parts of Iceland are rising as much as 1.4 inches (35mm) a year.
Thats according to research just published (paywall) by a team led by scientists from the University of Arizona. The study is the first to directly link the Earths accelerating uplift with quickening pace of glacial thaw. As this process intensifies, the scientists warn, it risks upping the frequency of volcanic eruptions.
Whats new here isnt the science itself, exactly. Glaciers are so heavy that they weigh down the earth that they cover. A while back, geologists discovered that where huge chunks of ice are thinning, the earth beneath them starts rebounding. And evidence suggests that higher latitudes are warming faster than the global average.
More at the link, including why this means more Icelandic volcano activity in the future.
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Iceland is melting so fast, it’s literally popping off the planet (Original Post)
Binkie The Clown
Jan 2015
OP
The area below the Great Lakes is also rebounding as lake water pours out over Niagara Falls.
Scuba
Jan 2015
#4
I saw a very cool documentary on the Great Lakes that explained this. When the icecaps ....
Scuba
Jan 2015
#10
Well, the volcanoes would cool the air. Their smoke and debris would shut out sunlight.
JDPriestly
Jan 2015
#9
Downwinder
(12,869 posts)1. If the polar areas are rising
does that mean that the equator is shrinking?
Maedhros
(10,007 posts)3. Not really.
Glacial rebound is a local isostatic effect. The net decrease in the circumference at the equator is imperceptible.
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)2. And Exxon cheers with glee, "soon we can drill! baby, drill"!
Scuba
(53,475 posts)4. The area below the Great Lakes is also rebounding as lake water pours out over Niagara Falls.
What madness are you posting about?
Maybe I should put a smilie here.
(BTW, I am a lifelong Michigander who lives 50 miles from a Great Lake. I was born in the 1940's and grew up in Detroit -- yes within the city (Cooley High School class of 1966)).
Scuba
(53,475 posts)10. I saw a very cool documentary on the Great Lakes that explained this. When the icecaps ....
... can down and created the Great Lakes, the mile + thick ice compressed the earth, and as the water pours out and the weight lessens, the earth rebounds.
Fascinating piece.
Javaman
(62,534 posts)6. I wonder how this effect earthquakes and volcanic activity...
I'm thinking: not good.
progree
(10,920 posts)8. I'm thinking you're right... NOVA - Doomsday Volcanos
NOVA - Doomsday Volcanos
http://video.pbs.org/video/2318814196/
My quickie notes made after watching it back in 2013:
Iceland's volcanos Hekla, Katla, Laki, Eyja.
Eyja was the one that blew in 2010 and grounded 100,000 flights - most European air travel grounded for 8 days.
Laki blew in 1783 or 1789. Almost all of Iceland's livestock died as did about 1/5 of its human population. Up to a million died in Europe. Most of the damage caused by huge releases of sulfur that became SO2 -- and sulfuric acid.
The real concern in the near future is Katla -- it would be worse than 3 of Iceland's worst eruptions put together...
http://video.pbs.org/video/2318814196/
My quickie notes made after watching it back in 2013:
Iceland's volcanos Hekla, Katla, Laki, Eyja.
Eyja was the one that blew in 2010 and grounded 100,000 flights - most European air travel grounded for 8 days.
Laki blew in 1783 or 1789. Almost all of Iceland's livestock died as did about 1/5 of its human population. Up to a million died in Europe. Most of the damage caused by huge releases of sulfur that became SO2 -- and sulfuric acid.
The real concern in the near future is Katla -- it would be worse than 3 of Iceland's worst eruptions put together...
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)9. Well, the volcanoes would cool the air. Their smoke and debris would shut out sunlight.
Not good for life on earth if things go too far.
niyad
(113,582 posts)7. k and r for that informative article, and welcome to du.