Massive ice melt observed in Antarctica

dpa German Press Agency Published: Wednesday May 16, 2007

Washington- An area as large as the US state of California
melted due to warmer temperatures in western Antarctica a satellite
from the US space agency showed, according to a NASA analysis of the
largest melt in recent decades.
The data collected by the NASA satellite, QuickScat, between July
1999 and July 2005 captured the largest melting in 30 years during
January 2005, scientists said late Tuesday.

The melting occurred in several areas, including those where
melting was considered unlikely such as at high elevations and far
inland.

Antarctica features the world's largest fresh water reservoir, and
changes in its ice mass impact the height of oceans, their salt
concentration and the world's weather.

© 2006 - dpa German Press Agency

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