The Russian climate change research vessel Akadmik Shokalskiy is seen stuck in ice near Antarctica.
A Russian research ship stuck in expanding Antarctic ice and a Chinese ice breaker sent to help have put out calls for further assistance and the U.S. Coast Guard is responding.
The Akadmik Shokalskiy became stuck in the ice on December 24. Tourists, scientists and journalists were on board the Russian ship conducting global warming research.
Chinese icebreaker Xue Long was dispatched to rescue the trapped researchers. Using its helicopters it was able to airlift dozens of passengers to a second rescue ship, the Aurora Australis, on Thursday. However, the Xue Long soon found itself stuck in the expanding ice.
Last week the Australian government asked the United States for assistance in clearing the way for the two ships and yesterday it was announced the U.S. Coast Guard would dispatch one of its largest ships to help.
Scientists announced yesterday that Arctic sea ice had completed its summer melt and in the end reached the lowest extent since satellite measurements began. At the other end of the globe Antarctica was seeing the exact opposite as the ice at the South Pole grows to record levels. Read the rest of this story on Examiner.com. Be sure to check out the video of the early August storm that tore the Arctic ice to shreds.
Satellite data reveal how the new record low Arctic sea ice extent, from Sept. 16, 2012, compares to the average minimum extent over the past 30 years (in yellow). (NASA) Click the image to view a slideshow on Arctic and Antarctic sea ice levels.
Arctic sea ice grew to near average levels during the 2009 - 2010 season. (NASA) Watch the amazing animation video below.
A curious thing has happened over the 2009 – 2010 winter season – Arctic sea ice has rebounded to near normal levels. Long pointed to as a sign of the impact of global warming, the extent of sea ice had been shrinking in recent years.
According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the maximum extent for Arctic sea ice was reached on March 31st. This is the latest date maximum extent has been reached since 1979 when satellites began measuring the Arctic Ice.
The center said that it was thought the sea ice was done growing around the beginning of March. However, late season winter storms over the Bering and Barents Seas allowed it to continue to enlarge. “By the end of March, total extent approached 1979 to 2000 average levels for this time of year,” the NSIDC said.
The NASA video below portrays the 2009 – 2010 sea ice season from start to finish. For all the latest climate and global warming news, be sure to visit the Climate Change Examiner.
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