Ice Cores and Ice CapsIf you've been listening to 2012 predictions , you have probably heard about ice cores and the devastation that would be caused by the melting of ice caps. I have heard all kinds of things that could cause the ice caps to melt – from pole shift theories to speculations about geomagnetic reversal . Reading scientific studies has convinced me that it this is not a threat to the earth in 2012 , but over the long-term it can cause some dramatic changes that will be hard if not impossible to manage. What Are Ice Cores and What Do They Tell Us?A core is a sample from snow and ice that has accumulated over many years and formed an ice sheet. These samples are obtained from arctic areas like Antarctica and Greenland which are home of the polar ice caps.By studying the cores, it makes it possible to determine climate changes over the years as well as the presence of greenhouse gases and its concentration. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Greenhouse gases are blamed for global warming . At this time, the arctic is melting at a phenomenal rate with temperatures in the region rising at a rate that doubles the rate of anywhere else in the world. In the year 2000, the largest block of ice cracked after it had been in existence for thousands of years and it continues to break into pieces. The Arctic region is expected to be ice-free by the end of the century if things do not change. What Would Melting of the Ice Caps Cause?Melting of the ice caps will, of course, cause the sea levels to rise which would result in flooding and water contamination. It can also cause temperatures to rise which can affect food supply and result in extinction of some species, not to mention tragic effects on economies. Lack of food can lead to wars and turmoil.What do you think about this matter? Share your opinion! |