U.S. ship heads for Arctic to define territory

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

UNEW YORK, Aug 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. Coast Guard cutter will embark on an Arctic voyage this week to determine the extent of the continental shelf north of Alaska and map the ocean floor, data that could be used for oil and natural gas exploration.

U.S. and University of New Hampshire scientists on the Coast Guard Cutter Healy will leave Barrow, Alaska, on Thursday on a three-week journey. They will create a three-dimensional map of the Arctic Ocean floor in a relatively unexplored area known as the Chukchi borderland.

The Healy will launch again on Sept. 6, when it will be joined by Canadian scientists aboard an icebreaker, who will help collect data to determine the thickness of sediment in the region. That is one factor a country can use to define its extended continental shelf.

With oil at $114 a barrel, after hitting a record $147 in July, and sea ice melting fast, countries like Russia and the United States are looking north for possible energy riches.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N11381922.htm

[frog92969]

1. And when they get there they'll piss all over the shelf.

"This is mine...that's mine."

[fascisthunter]

2. like maniacs, our government repeats the same mistakes

over and over again... the definition of insanity and isn't it no wonder we are killing ourselves and every other species on this planet. What a fucking shame...

[lovuian]

3. Russia beat them to it

they are late

[frog92969]

5. Bu$h hasn't destroyed our Navy...

Yet

[amandabeech]

8. The timing couldn't be worse. Or could it?

More from the article.

"Russia, which has claimed 460,000 square miles (1.19 million sq km) of Arctic waters, last summer planted its flag on the ocean floor of the North Pole."

What we need are ice-breaking aircraft carriers and a few subs to keep this front going.

Plus, the Canadians are pissed as hell, according to a poster here.

[FreakinDJ]

4. "We'll run out of Air before we run out of Oil in the Arctic

that is what 1 geologist said when he came back from exploring oil up there

[Homer12]

6. Will a reason to start another cold war be manufactured?

I know old cconservatives and neocons miss the old days?

[FreakinDJ]

7. NeoCons need more internet time

Much rather have cyber dating with Russian girls then Cold Wars with Grumpy Old Farts

[Phred42]

9. great - now we're in the middle of an 19th century landgrab at the Pole

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

10. Wow, what a great side benefit of global warming, opening more territory to drill.