Image:Antarctic Temperature Trend 1981-2007.jpg

Map showing Antarctic Skin Temperature Trends between 1981 and 2007. Skin temperature is roughly the top one millimeter of land, sea, snow, or ice. Across most of the Antarctic the temperature increased, in some areas warming approaching 2 degrees Celsius during the period. The map is based on thermal infrared (heat) observations made by a series of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite sensors. None of the sensors were in orbit at the same time, so scientists could not compare simultaneous observations from different sensors to make sure each was recording temperatures exactly the same. Instead, the team checked the satellite records against ground-based weather station data to inter-calibrate them and make the 26-year satellite record. The level of uncertainty is between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius. The most dramatic changes are the red areas associated with iceberg calving and the collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf. In these cases, the satellites saw a change from cold ice to relatively warm open water.

NASA Earth Observatory - http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17838

November 21, 2007

Robert Simmon

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