|
. | . |
|
by Staff Writers Columbus, Ohio (UPI) Dec 16, 2013
Arctic storms swirling around the top of the world are more common than previously thought with about 1,900 in the first decade of the century, researchers say. As they churn across the top of the globe each year they leave warm water and air in their wakes, melting sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, scientists at Ohio State University reported Wednesday. An analysis of arctic storms from 2000 to 2010 found 40 percent more of the cyclones that had previously been estimated, they said. "We now know there were more cyclones than previously thought, simply because we've gotten better at detecting them," geography Professor David Bromwich said. Many of the cyclones previously missed were small in size and short in duration, or occurred in unpopulated areas, he said. The study area was north of 55 degrees latitude, which includes the northern reaches of Canada, Scandinavia and Russia, along with the state of Alaska. "We can't yet tell if the number of cyclones is increasing or decreasing, because that would take a multidecade view," Bromwich said. "We do know that, since 2000, there have been a lot of rapid changes in the arctic -- Greenland ice melting, tundra thawing -- so we can say that we're capturing a good view of what's happening in the Arctic during the current time of rapid changes." As an example, he cited an especially large cyclone that hit the arctic in August 2012, which scientists say they believe played a significant role in the record retreat of sea ice that year.
Related Links Beyond the Ice Age
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement |