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Sólheimajökull Glacier is Melting

About a hundred years ago, the Swedish scientist and Nobel laureate Svante Arrenius commenced his research about global warming and how it might turn into a problem for future generations. Since then, numerous studies and tons of reports have been submitted on the matter, but scientists are still debating if the effects of global warming is a fact and if nothing is done, the global warming will affect and touch every human act.

Melting glaciers are one of the most visible signs of climate change. In Iceland about 11 billion tons of glacial ice melt due to global warming every year. Human influence, the greenhouse effect, gas emissions and aerosols, new studies say, are the main perpetrators. The overall melting is steady. Glacial ice covers 11% of Icelands surface. Massive amounts of carbon is dumped into the oceans with the melt water, causing the sea level to rise. The glacier melt releases the pressure from the ice on the underlying rocks which may lead to more frequent volcanic eruptions in the future.

The Year 2016 was the second warmest since record keeping began in 1880. The warming has been continuous over the past 20 years.Scientists around the world have been and are still studying the impact of global warming on the melting of glaciers.

Many conventions, conferences and meetings have produced statements and bookings for reducing greenhouse effect, but not all sit at the same table here. Pollution in many cities in Asia is very serious, people have to wear masks outdoors and become ill with respiratory diseases, consequences of air pollution.

Scientists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office claim that Sólheimajökull is a textbook example of how rapidly the melting occurs. Over the last century the glacier lost around 2.2 sq.km. of its front part and it has retreated the equivalent to the size of an Olympic swimming pool annually. In the video accompanying this blog is the proof.

Acarnum Glacier Tours offer daily snowmobile tours and glacier hiking upon Sólheimajökull. The location of the glacier makes it easy to get there, up and close. You will find detailed information about the tours and how to book here.

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