Lesson Using NASA Earth Observatory Data Marisa Kendall, M.Ed.

HDMS Exploring changes in Antarctic Sea Ice Goal: Observe how changes in sea ice levels have occurred over the last 20 years. Analyze how the changes in Antarctica compare to sea ice changes in the Artic and how these variations relate to global climate change. Background: We have been discussing climate change and its effect on Antarctic ice and global sea levels. Read the NASA article, Antarctic Sea Ice Reaches New Maximum Extent. This article is located at http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=79369. As you read through the article, answer the following questions:

1.

What does this graph show? Analyze the data presented in this graph and explain how sea ice has changed in Antarctica from 1979 to 2012.

2. Compare the sea ice levels in the Arctic to the sea ice levels in Antarctica.

3. How much has sea ice increased since 1979? What is your reaction to this?

4. Identify the changes that have occurred in the Ross Sea compared to the changes that have occurred in the Bellinghausen and Amundsen Sea.

5. Identify why it is difficult to compare sea ice coverage between the Artic and Antarctica. You can also read the article at http://nsidc.org/cryosphere/seaice/characteristics/difference.html to investigate the differences between the Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice.

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE! We know that the climate is getting warmer, how is it possible that there is less ice melting in Antarctica? There are three reasons for this phenomenon. Read the NASA article Whats Holding Antarctic Sea Ice Back From Melting? The article is located at http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/antarctic_melting.html. Fill in the table below to explain the science behind each of these three reasons.
Dwindling Ozone Levels A More Stratified Southern Ocean Flooded Sea Ice Turns Snow to Ice

USE THE DATA Use the data supplied by NASAs Earth Observatory to see how seasonal changes compare to the overall variation of sea ice in Antarctica. The data is available below and the original can be found at http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/WorldOfChange/sea_ice_south.php. Use this data to create a graph of changes in seasonal sea ice.

6.

What does your graph show? Analyze any overall trends in the data and describe them below.

7. Does your graph support the information you read in original NASA Sea Ice Article? Explain.

WHILE ALL OF THE DATA IS VALID, IT IS MISLEADING! What is happening in East Antarctica is not the same as what is happening in West Antarctica. Read the article at http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/20100108_Is_Antarctica_Melting.html. Compare and contrast East and West Antarctica. Fill in the venn diagram below. WEST ANTARCTICA EAST ANTARCTICA

8. Look at the image below (from the NASA article Is Antarctica Melting?). How does this data compare to the data we have been previously looking at?

9. What is the difference between mass and area? Can you decrease the mass while increasing the area? 10. After reading the article Is Antarctica Melting? how would you explain all of this information? Should we be worried about melting sea ice in Antarctica?

EXTENSION PROJECT: Use the NASA Earth Observations web site at http://neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/ to support your answer to question 9. What data or images would you need to support your answer? Collect any images from NASA Earth Observations and create a multimedia presentation to share them with the class.