Until March 20, the North Pole will not see the sun, which also means that this is the coldest time of the year. But surprisingly, the temperatures in the North Pole are above normal. A scary 30 Degrees Celsius above normal.
According to climate experts, Temperatures may have soared as high as 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) at the pole, according to the U.S. Global Forecast System model. While there are no direct measurements of temperature there, Zack Labe, a climate scientist working on his PhD at the University of California at Irvine, confirmed that several independent analyses showed “it was very close to freezing,” which is more than 50 degrees (30 degrees Celsius) above normal.
Analyses show that the temperature warmed to the melting point as an enormous storm pumped an intense pulse of heat through the Greenland Sea.
The extreme event continues to unfold in the high #Arctic today in response to a surge of moisture and “warmth”
2018 is well exceeding previous years (thin lines) for the month of February. 2018 is the red line. Average temperature is in white (https://t.co/kO5ufUWrKq) pic.twitter.com/cLeMxSxvWo
— Zack Labe (@ZLabe) February 25, 2018
Scientists were shocked in recent days to discover open water north of Greenland, an area normally covered by old, very thick ice. “This has me more worried than the warm temps in the Arctic right now,” tweeted Mike MacFerrin, an ice sheet specialist at the University of Colorado.
This has me more worried than the warm temps in the Arctic right now. That sea ice north of Greenland among the last vestiges of old, thick sea ice existing in the Arctic ocean. Break it apart, it can circulate straight out into the Atlantic come summer. We’ll see what comes. https://t.co/kMdvherrho
— Mike MacFerrin (@IceSheetMike) February 26, 2018
ALSO READ: Are Kashmir’s glaciers melting? What Satellite images suggest is nothing but scary
In Kashmir too, the glacial ice is visibly and considerably retreating.
Part of the Himalayan Range, Kolahoi mountain is located between Sonamarg and Arin Pahalgam. The Sind River flows to its north, and the Kolahoi Glacier is the source of the Lidder River.
Here is a 360 degree view of the Kolahai mountain that will give you an idea where it is located.
Kolahoi Peak rises from the glacier, and is a pyramid-shaped peak, with ice falls and ice fields at its bottom. The rock formation of the peak is stable with aretes and ridges.
The glacier plays a significant role, in giving life to a large area. But the mountain on which it sits, is changing, and the glacier visibly receding.
Have a look at how the mountain’s ice cover has been changing since 1984-2016
(Click the Play button to watch the glacier change over the years)
To slow things down even more, here are satellite images of the glacier from 1984 and 2016.
If you are on the desktop computer, slide your mouse cursor right and left to see the change. For mobile users, slide the screen with your finger.
If you think that this is one glacier, and there are plenty more, you’re in for a huge surprise. Here are some of the other glaciers over the years.
Drang Drung Glacier
Rimo Glacier
Parkachik Glacier
Shafat Glacier
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