Scientist Watches Glacier Melt Beneath His Feet (LOL)

npr.org ^ | Sep. 5, 2010 | NPR staff

[libertarian27]

"Rain is probably the most effective way to ... cause the ice to melt," Thompson says. "So this was the first time you could see the surface actually lowering around you."

Oh my gosh! This happens in my snow covered yard too when it rains in the spring - it lowers around me - next year I'm going to camp outside in a tent for a while and take ice core samples and store them in my beer fridge.

[Mr_Moonlight]

Just last week I had bought an ice-cream cone from the Mister Softee truck ... jostled it a bit ... and the top flopped over and fell onto a hot sidewalk, melting quickly into a schploch of gooey mess ... soon afterward a team of Ants were all over the schploch of goo.

Which proves without a doubt: Global Warming™ causes Ants on the sidewalk.

[Ditter]

I was amused at this scientist’s idea that glaciers don’t melt.

[sodpoodle]

There is a reason for *hotfooting it outta heah* when you have HOT FEET!!!

Probably wearing Costanza’s Goretex boots.

[sodpoodle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt6KRKHpKhY&feature=more_related

Costanza’s GOREtex jacket!!!!!

enjoy;)

[FrankR]

1. Was he wearing a coat?

2. These globalwarming nuts have drilled for so many core samples to prove their dumb theories, they've created ventilating shafts throughout the glaciers, contributing to the melting.

3. Summer is not over quite yet.

[Longbow1969]

Losing the glacier wouldn't have much environmental impact for the local people, Thompson says, but it would have a deep spiritual impact. "For the tribes that live in that area, the glaciers are the head of the skull of the god and the mountains are the arms and the legs," he says. "If they lose the glaciers then they’re going to lose part of their soul."

Oh noes, the tribes may have to deal with the fact that their religion is completely bogus. The chunk of ice isn't actually a God's head afterall.

[dirtboy]

I've been on a glacier in the Wind River Range of Wyoming in July and it rained on me.

Ironclad proof of global warming.

Not. It also snowed on the 4th of July.

[kittymyrib]

“If they lose the glaciers then they’re going to lose part of their soul.”

I’m sure it’s nothing that a few billion US taxpayer-funded grants couldn’t cure. These greedy scientists, who never produce a thing except worthless research, should be shipped to a desert island where they could impress each other by seeing who could actually stay alive without public funds.

[Mr_Moonlight]

I was amused at this scientist’s idea that glaciers don’t melt.

Unfortunately for this 'scientist', glaciers melting and moving and doing all sorts of things has been going on for eons .. shaping the very face of the Earth. And there is nothing that he nor Algore nor anyone else can do about it, that's just the way it is. Period.

My own experience in the Alps was of a skiing bit, in Chamonix France. I had met up with a guide who offered guided tours on the Mont Blanc glacier .. but there were some strict stipulations: 1) You must be a top expert skier, 2) You must sign a waiver of liability for any accidental injury or loss of life, 3) Pay me 2000 Francs. /laughs

I thanked him for the offer, but demurred ... not being a 'top expert skier' nor particularly adventuresome in that extreme respect, I declined. Although it might have been fun, it also might have been disastrous, who knows?

But looking up at that awesomely massive glacier on Mont Blanc surely put an appreciation of the power of nature in me ...

Your mileage may vary :)

-- MM

[muawiyah]

Down near the Equator (e.g. the spot we are talking about) there is no "winter", just a Wet Season and a Dry Season.

The glaciers probably retreat in the Wet Season and advance in the Dry Season.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

It was the first one where he experienced rain on the glacier every day.

And he was surprised the glacier was melting on the surface?? Does this expert know that rain is warmer that ice?? Ah yes, it must be caused by CO2. The temperature difference between the rain and the ice is unimportant.

[irishtenor]

You should be able to get a grant for that.

[Ditter]

You just brought back some memories. The same trip in 1960 I rented skis on Mt Blanc (I think) my first time ever on skis I was a fearless 19 year old(girl). No guide, no instruction, no problem, it was way easy. And when I saw how far it was to the bottom, I sat down took off the skis and walked back up. I scared myself half to death.

[Parley Baer]

I bet they were creating yellow snow.

[FlingWingFlyer]

I’m not a real scientist but I’ve watched the ice in my iced tea melt a lot of times. It’s pretty cool.

[Sawdring]

I've been on a glacier in the Wind River Range of Wyoming in July and it rained on me. When my boy gets old enough I am going to take him out there. Island Lake was great and it wasn't as packed with people like Glacier was. I can't wait to go back. I will probably start my bout out in about three years on Isle Royale to see if he likes backpacking.

[screaminsunshine]

I wonder if SUV’s and Fossil Fuel caused the glaciers that covered Florida millions of years ago to melt?

[drinktheobamakoolaid]

Does this Professor Thompson have a brain? Was he able bring any cactus samples back since the glacier melted and turned to desert right in front of his very eyes?

[irishtenor]

Dino-farts.