Can the Antartic ice sheet be used as a global warming indicator?

Question

I see arguments saying antartica is undergoing an increase in ice mass therefore global warming is false:

http://www.co2science.org/scripts/CO2ScienceB2C/articles/V9/N45/C2.jsp

however, the average temperature of antartica is far colder than the arctic ocean and greenland and therefore would take a more dramatic increase in temperature to cause Ice to melt. So, are greenland and the arctic ocean far better indicators of global warming?

Answer 1

It sounds like you are asking if it is better to ignore fact that disagree with a theory.

The answer is No, do not ignore facts that disagree with a theory.

When we stop asking questions, we stop learning.

Answer 2

Scientists truly have no idea how much the earth is warming from the heat within.  You must realize the lithosphere is relatively very thin under the oceans and susceptible to the Sun's magnetic influences in the form of Sun Spots and Coronal Hole magnetic emissions.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

If it weren't for the heat within - this planet would be 'FROZEN DEAD ICE BALL'

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/...

Lithosphere:

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/...

What scientists don't know!:

Three million underwater volcanoes

http://www.iceagenow.com/Three_Million_U...

Just now learning about Antartic volcanic activity?!?!: - Jan. 6, 2008

Listen to climate change

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian...

Answer 3

But but but - without rising sea levels, what's so bad about global warming....sorry....Climate Change?

Climate always changes.  IF the sea's aren't going to drown us all, and more of the tundra in russia becomes farmable, and there's more food and less need to burn oil in the winter to heat our homes - where's the downside????

Drouts, floods, famines, wars, rumors of wars?  These are as old as the world itself.  "Increasing intensity and frequency?"  Doubtful.  It would take 100 years of data to prove such things.

Answer 4

A satellite based gravity survey of the entire Antarctic ice sheet has shown a net loss of mass. The large mass lost from the West Antarctic ice sheet apparently exceeds the ice gain elsewhere.

Here is a quote from the source:

Measuring variations in Antarctica's ice sheet mass is difficult because of its size and complexity. GRACE is able to overcome these issues, surveying the entire ice sheet, and tracking the balance between mass changes in the interior and coastal areas.

Answer 5

The short answer to your question is yes, this is one of many indicators of global warming.

As Campbelp's link shows, the Antarctic ice sheet is losing mass.  On top of that, the melting of Antarctic sea ice is accelerating, as is the case with Artic sea ice:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=2...

Deniers have long argued that because Antarctica appeared to be growing (which was due to increased precipitation in the form of snow due to increased temperatures), this disproved the AGW theory.

Now that we know Antarctic ice is experiencing a net loss, I don't hear the deniers mentioning Antarctica much anymore.

Answer 6

Sssshhh... you'll upset the natives.

Answer 7

Those arguments are bogus, increased ice is caused by warming seas. But here's an interesting explanation from a skeptical perspective:

Climate scientists have long suspected that warming the oceans around a very cold continent is likely to dramatically increase snowfall. Consider Antarctica. It’s plenty chilly, dozens of degrees below freezing, and it’s surrounded by water. The warmer the water, the greater the evaporation from its surface, and, obviously, the more moisture it contributes to the local atmosphere.

So, when this moisture gets swirled up by a common cyclone, do you think it’s going to fall as rain in Antarctica?

A recent study, no shocker to real climatologists (but perhaps to climate doomsayers), demonstrates this simple physics. It appears in the latest SciencExpress, and it shows that the vast majority of the Antarctic landmass is rapidly gaining ice and snow cover.

Obviously this moisture comes from the sea. And, being deposited in solid form on the land-way-down-under, this lowers the earth’s sea level.

Like we said, this should shock no climatologist. But consider the “profession” of environmental journalism, which ran these headlines just one teensy month ago:

“Antarctic glaciers shrink” –The Baltimore Sun, April 22, 2005

“Study shows Antarctic glaciers shrinking” –Associated Press, April 22, 2005

“Vanishing glaciers: Antarctica’s big melt” –The Australian, April 23, 2005

“New study points to big melt in Antarctica” – Sci-Tech Today, April 22, 2005

“Antarctic glaciers in mass retreat” –Nature.com, April 21, 2005

“Antarctic glaciers at risk of global warming” – All Headline News, April 22, 2005

“Antarctic glaciers are getting smaller faster” –The Times On-line, April 22, 2005

“Shrinking glaciers confirm the worst” –New Scientist, April 27, 2005

Suddenly the tune has changed:

“As climate shifts, Antarctic ice sheet is growing” –Los Angeles Times, May 20, 2005

“Scientists link global warming to Antarctic’s ice cap’s growth” –Chicago Tribune, May 20, 2005

“Antarctica ice cap thickens” –Pittsburgh Post Gazette, May 20, 2005

“Warming is blamed for Antarctic’s weight gain” –New York Times, May 20, 2005

“Ice sheet confounds climate theory” – The Telegraph, May 20, 2005

“Antarctica ice cap thickens, slowing rise in sea levels” – Pioneer Press, May 20, 2005

http://www.worldclimatereport.com/index....