Study: Antarctic Glaciers Slip Seaward
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Study: Antarctic Glaciers Slip Seaward
Glaciers in the Antarctic are melting more quickly that previously thought, scientists say.
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GENEVA (February 25, 2009)--Glaciers in the Antarctic are melting faster than previously thought and scientists say that could lead to an unprecedented rise in sea levels.

A report by thousands of scientists for the 2007-2008 International Polar Year concludes the western part of the continent is warming up, rather than just the Antarctic Peninsula.

Colin Summerhayes, the executive director of the Britain-based Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and a member of International Polar Year's steering committee, said scientists previously believed that most of the warming was occurring on the narrow stretch pointing toward South America.

He said data and automated weather stations indicate, "The warming we see in the peninsula also extends all the way down to what is called west Antarctica."
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