Module 9 - getting sidetracked toward the end....

I hesitate to call permafrost melting cool, however, the release of methane gas that had been stored safely in the permafrost is now being released and as Clay has pointed out; with a bic can be kinda fun....

As I started through this module I got totally sidetracked on methane gas burning over frozen lakes and thermite explosions when Ice is involved... even Mythbusters confirmed it but could not explain the explosion!

I also learned about the extent of the Tlingit land and how they were forced out of Glacier Bay by advancing ice.

Glacier bay: Nasa

I learned The Taku Glacier had a positive mass balance from 1946 until 1988 and may begin to retreat if current trends continue.

Taku Glacier by susan dain-owens 2007

Ablation: The annual loss of snow and ice from a glacier.  The opposite of which is accumulation.





Gulkana glacier: a canary in the coal mine of global warming...



A 50-year government study found that the world's glaciers are melting at a rapid and alarming rate. The ongoing study is the latest in a series of reports that found glaciers worldwide are melting faster than anyone had predicted they would just a few years ago.

If all the terrestrial ice melted sea level could increase 80 m. As shown in this interactive resource from NOVA.  If the ice melts.


Extend

I showed many of the videos from this weeks module!  As we wrap up our unit on Climate and Weather, we have explored many factors that play a role in Global warming.  I have tried to balance the natural and man made sources that many scientist believe have lead to an increased rate of global warming.

The video on climate change was especially interesting to my class as it showed these changes can happen within ones lifetime..... not only slowly leaving time to adapt.




USGS photo

Washington’s South Cascade glacier has lost half its volume since 1960 and is predicted to lose an additional half in the next 100 years.


We also covered agian the Carbon Cycle and students decided the greatest impact would be to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use by replacing oil and coal burning with Tidal, Wave, Wind and Solar Power!

Evaluate


We also discussed possible changes here in Juneau if global warming continues, some student responses are listed here:

• less snow for skiing
• nicer springs and summers
• better growing seasons for plants
• bigger deer racks

After watching the video on climate change and how it can happen so fast we also talked  about what if it got cold again...fitting for the last few weeks.

• more snow for skiing
• longer, colder winters
• advancing glaciers may force people to move (mendenhall)
• harder for animals to survive (less vegitation)

Wow Dan, your done! I too marvel at the accomplishments of early navigators like Vancouver just to survive the obstacles in SE Alaska waters.  Of course the Tlingit did it long before them all....

Dave, when I look at the graph from "climate change" I see us in a pretty long, "stable", temperature range when compared to before 8,000 BC.

Doug, I also liked the timing of this modul with all the great info. on glaciers for my class to view!