Hello John,
I just wanted to mention news that may relate to a previous question of mine regarding seasonal icequake trends and warming. John, you may already be aware of this report, given that you are now living and conducting research in one of the most heavily impacted parts of the planet regarding climate change. A recent U.S. Climate Change Program Report, led by the U.S. Geological Survey and reported by Washington Post science writer Juliet Eilperin and recently run in various news outlets(e.g.,today's L.A. Times), points out that climate change may proceed in much more rapid fashion than previously estimated. According to the report, more rapid ice sheet melting may occur due to ice sheet dynamics that scientists did not previously understand as fully as today. Konrad Steffen, Director of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder describes a process of "lubrication" in which warmer ocean water gets underneath coastal ice sheets and accelerates melting. This would appear to be especially significant for West Antarctica. It is my understanding that this lubricating influence by water and/or mud under ice sheets/glaciers has been documented for some time(5-10 years), but I suppose the support is now even more substantial. It seems as if this lubricating effect might also be applicable to inland glaciers as well, such as those on/near Mount Erebus.
-John,-Thank You for sharing your research and your experience. (Peninsula High School is just up the coast from San Pedro.) Be Well John. Ben Smith and his Environmental Science students at Peninsula High School California