Skater Above Methane Ice Bubbles, Vermillion Lake, Banff National Park, January 2015

[hatrack]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2931218/Icy-jellyfish-No-strange-phenomena-frozen-METHANE-BUBBLES-trapped-lake-ignited-match.html

[djean111]

1. Looks beautiful and a little frightening. nt

[daleanime]

2. Very frightening....

[gregcrawford]

3. Researchers have been recording a disturbing increase...

... in the frequency and volume of methane releases from vast reserves in the arctic tundra and the continental shelves around the planet. As global warming accelerates and intensifies, so, too, will the explosive releases like those documented in Siberia, which left huge deep craters. It is only a matter of time before one of those occurs beneath an inhabited area.

[alfredo]

5. We need the Wooly Mammoth to work its magic on the tundra, turning

it into a grassland instead of a bog. Grasses don't capture as much solar heat and darker green plants.

[ffr]

4. Almost forgot what ice looked like

I have to go to my icebox to find any here. Less Methane, of course. February 1 is the new beginning of Spring it would seem.

Not really that surprised by Banff's lack of snow covered peaks. That's pretty much everywhere out west here where warm nights are the norm.