On 31 Aug, 16:24, "nightjar" .me.uk>
wrote:
>> Satellite images reveal an opening in the famed North-west and North-
>> east passages, with water stretching all the way round the Arctic.
>
>> Until recently both passages had been blocked by ice since the start
>> of the last Ice Age..."
>
> That would come as something of surprise to Baron Nordenskjöld, who
> navigated the North East Passage in 1878-1879 and to Roald Amundsen, who
> navigated the North West Passage in 1903-1906.
>
> ...
>
>> So, warmest since the start of the last ice age about 90.000 years
>> ago?
>
> Must be one of your famous 'local effects', given that the global average
> temperature is only just above the 30 year average at present.
>
What 30 year average? Source? I see the usual motorists suspects, who
dominate this transport newsgroup, are still in denial of
anthropogenic global warming. I wonder how much longer they will be
able to cling to their fond imaginings as an excuse for their
pollution?
The Mail has updated its version:
"The North Pole has become an island for the first time in human
history.
Startling satellite pictures taken three days ago show that melting
ice has opened up the fabled North-West and North-East Passages -
making it possible to sail around the Arctic ice cap.
The opening of the passages has been eagerly awaited by shipping
companies which hope they will be able to cut thousands of miles off
their routes..."
"..The pictures, produced by Nasa, mark the first time in at least
125,000 years that the two shortcuts linking the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans have been ice-free at the same time.
In 2005, the North-East Passage around Russia opened, while the
western one, across the top of Canada, remained closed, and last year
the position was reversed.
But the satellite data shows that the North-West passage opened last
weekend and the remaining tongue of ice blocking the North-Eastern one
dissolved a few days later.
Professor Serreze, of the U.S. government-funded National Snow and Ice
Data Center, told a Sunday newspaper: 'The passages are open. It is an
historic event.
'We are going to see this more and more as the years go by.'..."
