Melting of the world's glaciers worst in 5000 year
Scientists, led by Lonnie Thompson of Ohio State University, has found that mountain glaciers are melting faster now than at any time in the past 5,000 years because of an unprecedented period of global warming.
the research was based on 48 scientific expeditions to seven mountain glaciers over the past 30 years, including the Huascaran and Quelccaya ice caps in Peru, the Sajama ice cap in Bolivia and the Dunde and Puruogangri ice caps in China.
28th June 2006
carbon-info.org
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The team had found that melting glaciers in South America and Asia not only contribute to rising sea levels, they are also vital sources of freshwater for many millions of people who live within their range at lower altitudes.
The most dramatic evidence comes from 28 sites where the retreating ice has exposed plant material that have been frozen and preserved for more than 5,000 years by the glacier's base.
"This means that the climate at the ice cap hasn't been warmer than it is today in the last 5,000 years or more," Professor Thompson said.
