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Antarctic Ice Sheet Studies

Aloha Brandon!

My class and I would like to extend a warm aloha to you and the researchers. Wow, what a storm. Could you please ask one of your researchers if they believe these strong storms are related to global climate change?

I know, I know, I know, it's too early to say. But we were all just wondering what scientists have to say about these strong 'summer' storms you are having.

warmly,

Mrs. P and her students

Sun, 12/23/2007 - 17:38

Brandon Gillette

Hi Maggie!You ask a very good, and as you know, very complicated question.  The location of the WAIS camp was actually selected because of its' high accumulation rates, not in the sense of a lot of snow, but there is little melting, obviously, and the ice is moving very very slow, maybe only a meter or so a year.  That being said, when it does snow, it sticks around for a very long time.  As far as the storms are concerned, there is no obvious evidence that this has anything to do with global warming or climate change anymore than this is just a cycle and we happen to hit a stormy season.  I know that doesn't give you any sort of complete answer but I know you understand the nature of the continent.  It is all very interesting and numerous people at WAIS have commented that this has been an unusually stormy spring/summer.  Again though, no evidence.  I hope you're not too disappointed with that very vague answer but I don't have any data to support another response.
Great to hear from you, and thank you for following along!
Cheers,~Brandon