Scientists Release New Polar Ice Findings
Article Analysis For Science Teacher [Topic; Scientists]

During last spring, the Catlin Arctic Survey members set out to walk and swim over 600 miles to the North Pole to collect data over sea ice. However, very soon after they set out, their radar and a full sled loaded with water-testing equipment had failed. The team of scientists scale back its ambitions and measure ice thickness the old-fashioned way. In some areas, they found the ice to be barely 6-feet thick. Half of what they had expected of the ice. During May, the ice was on the move, which made the team break camp because of how violent it was. Finally, after dealing with frostbite and frozen sleeping bags, the scientists gave up only halfway to the Pole.
This week, Catlin released its results, fending off accusations that such a flawed expedition could not produce good science. Nevertheless, for scientists who rely on satellite and submarine data, its measurement is unique. “The scientists really have a lack of what you might call relatively accurate absolute measurements, what they would call direct observations, made from the surface at the surface, down through the snow, ice cover and the ice layer below,” said expedition leader Pen Hadow. Eminent climate scientists agree that the data supports a growing consensus that the polar ice cap is in dramatic retreat. “The conclusions from this work and from other measurements that have been done, and from new models, are that the summer ice will disappear within twenty to thirty years, and a lot of it will be gone within 10 years,” said Professor Peter Wadhams, with the University of Cambridge Polar Ocean Physics Group.

The good news is that it will open up new shipping lanes. On the other hand, the bad news is that the polar ice helps keep the planet cool by reflecting the sun. Once the ice cap is gone, global warming is likely to speed up.