Summarize the recent changes in the Arctic and Antarctic regions as a result of climate change

What will be an ideal response?


The Arctic region is defined by the July 10°C (50°F), whereas the Antarctic region is defined by the February July 10°C (50°F). The Arctic Ocean is covered by pack ice, whereas Antarctica is a continent covered by essentially one giant ice sheet. The Antarctic region is generally cooler than the Arctic region.
Since 1970, about half of the Arctic sea-ice volume has disappeared due to warming. There has also been the opening of the Northeast Passage during the summer. These changes affect surface albedo and the overall global climate.
Another phenomenon is ice sheet darkening, which changes the reflectivity of snow and ice. There may be several causes, such as exposed land, water and vegetation; black carbon from wildfires, and snow metamorphism.
There has also been an increase in meltponds in polar regions, as well as supraglacial lakes.
Another sign of climate change related affects is the breakup of ice shelves in the polar regions.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

You might also like to view...

Felsic rocks are lighter in color than mafic rocks

a. True

b. False

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

High mountains consisting of tightly folded and overthrust sedimentary rock layers, as well as metamorphic rocks, are formed

A) along midocean ridges during seafloor spreading activity and are subsequently uplifted above sea level in response to isostatic processes. B) during plate collisions. C) during volcanic eruptions. D) in continental rift zones. E) exclusively by magma intrusions.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

How does CO2 affect the temperature of the Earth?

A. makes no difference in the temperature B. makes it colder than it would be otherwise C. makes it warmer than it would be otherwise

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

The relationship between the protistan zooxanthellae and the polyps of reef-building corals is best described as a/an ________

A) facultative ectoparasitism B) facultative commensalism C) obligate endoparasitism D) mutualistic symbiosis E) obligate commensalism

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences