Keep in mind that we only have satellite data on the size of the icecaps dating back to 1979. So there is no way to know what ‘normal’ fluctuations are for the icecaps over a long span of time!
We have anecdotal evidence like a picture of a US submarine floating at the north pole in the 1940’s surrounded by open water that would indicate that they do indeed fluctuate quite a bit. I like to mention this to people that belive in the global warming crap.
As for glaciers, its the same thing. There is no long term measurements and data on all of the glaciers, let alone half of them! In fact, I read that we only have long term data (>100 years) on 30 or 40 of them.
Another good example:
Kilimanjaro Snow Gone By 2015 (Hyperventilating panic article from 2001)
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/travel-news/kilimanjaro-snow-gone-by-2015/1079.html
2011 Article (LOL!): ‘Scientific experts’ confounded by increasing snow cover on Mount Kilimanjaro
http://www.sott.net/article/245883-Scientific-experts-confounded-by-increasing-snow-cover-on-Mount-Kilimanjaro
1/14/2015 Photo: http://climbformemory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/kili.jpg
We also have such things as the escape hatch stairway leading from Harlech Castle down to the sea, ending a good 6’ above current mean sea level. A few years back, there were photos of this on the Castle website, with commentary that, back when the castle was built (around AD 1200, iirc), “sea levels were much higher.”
The photo and the commentary have since been removed from the website. Wonder why...
