Arctic Ice August 2010 - Update #2

Since I last posted an update, many things have happened in the Arctic and sub-Arctic.

In my last update - Arctic Ice August 2010 - Update #1 - I noted that there were no floes in the main pack bigger than 35km2.  I invited my readers to find a floe bigger than that anywhere in the main ice pack.  Nobody did.  Yes, there were a few bigger floes - even big enough to be called ice islands - but they were not in the main pack.

Petermann Glacier Calving 2010 - Update

Before I discuss the recent calving of the Petermann Glacier ice tongue, I want to give credit to the many scientists who were studying, predicting and observing this event.  If I miss anyone out, please advise by email or comment and I will edit this article accordingly.

The scientists who deserve credit, in no particular order:

Humfrey Melling at DFO submitted a detailed science article to the Journal of Geophysical Research - Oceans just a few weeks before the event, and so missed the chance of including the calving in his article.

Tears For Pakistan

A great tragedy is unfolding in Pakistan. 

There is not a single region of Pakistan unaffected by floods.  Whole villages have been wiped out and agriculture lost.  How will these people be fed.  Formerly, the USA and Russia could be relied on to to send food relief.  How will Russia send food aid to Pakistan when it has its own problems with grain supplies?

The world gave and gave again for Haiti.  In terms of people displaced and without food, water and other supplies, the Pakistan tragedy is far worse.

The Anatomy Of A Discovery

Petermann Glacier Ice Tongue Calving 2010


Science20.com is a science site.


Now, I could blabber and bluster about how I once advised Margaret Thatcher¹.  Which I did.  In a private letter which was answered by the Iron Lady herself in her own handwriting.  I had further communication with her via my local M.P. - the politician, not the policeman!  All of which has nothing whatsoever to do with my reputation in the science community.  Nor should it.

Arctic Newsflash! Petermann Ice Tongue Loses Huge Chunk


I have been watching the Petermann Glacier ice tongue for some time now.

Here is what I wrote in  Arctic Ice July 2010 - Update #3:

Judging from historic maps and images, the normal behavior of the Petermann ice tongue was the formation of a concave front at the fjord mouth.  Over recent years it has retreated.  Much of the tongue is now detached from the walls of the fjord.  Tidal forces will flex the tongue up and down: wind, currents and ice floe impacts will all exert at least a small lateral force on the tongue.  It will continue to thin from melting.