The melting forces to modify the maps of the polar regions of the Earth

The retreat of the greats glaciersthe detachment of icebergs and other effects of global warming have forced to redesign the maps of the polar regions of the Land produced by the institution of United Kingdom British Antarctic Survey (BAS).

The “dramatic changes” that both the Arctic and the Antarctic have suffered are reflected in the new edition of the maps, which includes the new contours of the ice shelves and updates its data on settlements and airports in those areas.

The mapping of the Arctic, which covers land and ocean above the 60th parallel north, has been particularly “completely updated”the British institution said in a statement.

“Notable physical changes in the update include new ice fronts reflecting the retreat of many large glaciers flowing from Greenland and Svalbard, as well as changes in the extent of lakes.”indicates the BAS.

The new maps also show “Permafrost and land cover in the region, important and rapidly changing aspects of the Arctic landscape.”

The cartographies of British Antarctic Survey They also reflect the average extent of sea ice in two periods, of thirty and ten years, which makes it possible to compare the evolution of the changes.

The British institution warns that climate models predict that the Arctic Ocean will not have ice during the summer before the year 2050.

“Uncertainty about the exact date is considerable due to naturally occurring climate variations. Some models suggest this could happen, at least once, in the 2030s.”warns the BAS.

Source: EFE