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To: thackney
Much of the world's ice exists as glaciers on land. Melting those places has more water running into the ocean, such as Greenland, Antarctica, etc.

That is true but it's also a fact that glaciers exist in higher elevations with subsequent lower temperatures. Most of the melt that occurs on glaciers is from the lower elevations where the temps are higher and it begins on the bedrock where the glaciers end and the sun raises the surface temps high enough to start the melt process.

Glaciers constantly expand and move southward and their continued growth depends on the jet stream dumping more snow as the season allows. If they don't get the sun reflective snow, the glaciers will continue to melt at their lowest altituded.

That's not a very good explanation so let me try this:

Here in Michigan, if I get a 6 inch snowstorm that covers my driveway and then shovel off half of it, the remaining snow covered driveway will begin to melt along the edge of the freshly shoveled part because the bare concrete will absorb the sun's heat that the snow covered part reflects.

So, lack of sun reflective snow fall will also affect glacier meltage at the lower altitude/higher temp edge of the glacier. One heavy winter snow fall or even two consecutive winters will nullify any satellite observable reduction in glacier size........

57 posted on 07/30/2013 1:03:18 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (')
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To: Hot Tabasco

I understand the facts you state, but I am missing the point you are trying to show me.


58 posted on 07/30/2013 1:08:37 PM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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