In large parts of Antarctica ice is expanding contrary to the general public belief that global warming has led to a melting of the continental ice shelf.
Results of ice-core drilling as well as sea ice monitoring show that there is no extensive melting of the ice in most of the Antarctic. Experts are, however, concerned about ice melting on the western coast of the continent.
Ninety percent of the Earth’s ice is in Antarctica as well as eighty percent of its fresh water. Significant melting of ice sheets would be needed to raise sea levels to any real degree. Ice is melting in certain parts of west Antarctica.
On the other hand, the situation is very different in east Antarctica, including the area claimed by Australia.
The eastern part of Antarctica is four times as big as the west and parts of it are cooling. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research report which was prepared for last week's conference of Antarctic Treaty nations in Washington noted the Antarctic had shown ‘significant cooling in recent decades’.
Australian Antarctic Division glaciology program head Ian Allison stated that sea ice losses in west Antarctica over the last thirty years had been more than offset by the increases in the Ross Sea region, which is just one sector of east Antarctica.
Dr Allison said that sea
ice conditions have remained stable in Antarctica generally.
