Iceland is melting so fast, it’s literally popping off the planet

[Binkie The Clown]

http://qz.com/336517/iceland-is-melting-so-fast-its-literally-popping-off-the-planet/

Iceland is rising. Or, more precisely, the island’s “ice” part is shrinking, causing the “land” part to rebound from the Earth’s crust—a process that’s happening at a pace much faster than scientists had previously realized. In fact, its glaciers are melting so swiftly that parts of Iceland are rising as much as 1.4 inches (35mm) a year.

That’s according to research just published (paywall) by a team led by scientists from the University of Arizona. The study is the first to directly link the Earth’s accelerating uplift with quickening pace of glacial thaw. As this process intensifies, the scientists warn, it risks upping the frequency of volcanic eruptions.

What’s new here isn’t the science itself, exactly. Glaciers are so heavy that they weigh down the earth that they cover. A while back, geologists discovered that where huge chunks of ice are thinning, the earth beneath them starts rebounding. And evidence suggests that higher latitudes are warming faster than the global average.

More at the link, including why this means more Icelandic volcano activity in the future.

[Downwinder]

1. If the polar areas are rising

does that mean that the equator is shrinking?

[Maedhros]

3. Not really.

Glacial rebound is a local isostatic effect. The net decrease in the circumference at the equator is imperceptible.

[Dont call me Shirley]

2. And Exxon cheers with glee, "soon we can drill! baby, drill"!

[Scuba]

4. The area below the Great Lakes is also rebounding as lake water pours out over Niagara Falls.

[longship]

5. WTF!?

What madness are you posting about?

Maybe I should put a smilie here.


(BTW, I am a lifelong Michigander who lives 50 miles from a Great Lake. I was born in the 1940's and grew up in Detroit -- yes within the city (Cooley High School class of 1966)).

[Scuba]

10. I saw a very cool documentary on the Great Lakes that explained this. When the icecaps ....

... can down and created the Great Lakes, the mile + thick ice compressed the earth, and as the water pours out and the weight lessens, the earth rebounds.

Fascinating piece.

[Javaman]

6. I wonder how this effect earthquakes and volcanic activity...

I'm thinking: not good.

[progree]

8. I'm thinking you're right... NOVA - Doomsday Volcanos

NOVA - Doomsday Volcanos
http://video.pbs.org/video/2318814196/

My quickie notes made after watching it back in 2013:

Iceland's volcanos Hekla, Katla, Laki, Eyja.

Eyja was the one that blew in 2010 and grounded 100,000 flights - most European air travel grounded for 8 days.

Laki blew in 1783 or 1789. Almost all of Iceland's livestock died as did about 1/5 of its human population. Up to a million died in Europe. Most of the damage caused by huge releases of sulfur that became SO2 -- and sulfuric acid.

The real concern in the near future is Katla -- it would be worse than 3 of Iceland's worst eruptions put together...

[JDPriestly]

9. Well, the volcanoes would cool the air. Their smoke and debris would shut out sunlight.

Not good for life on earth if things go too far.

[niyad]

7. k and r for that informative article, and welcome to du.