Posted at my National Geographic Blog
http://nationalgeographicblogger.blo...
I make frequent visits to the website of the National Snow and Ice Data Center (Yes, I like to watch ice melt) and I can say to you with no reservation and because of all the knowledge I've accumulated from those frequent visits that there is something fishy with the ice data.
When you visit the site here:
http://nsidc.org/...
It's obvious that the thumbnail representation of current sea ice extent doesn't match with the map you're presented with by clicking that thumbnail.
Is this just an entry error?
Is it a projection of what the extent of sea ice will be at it's minimum this year?
It doesn't match the 2006 minimum
http://nsidc.org/...
the 2007 minimum(though it does resemble it)
http://nsidc.org/...
and it doesn't match last year's minimum either
http://nsidc.org/...
Does the thumbnail image show that the ice is already nearing a record minimum? In the second week of July.
I've looked at quite a few other dates in the three years of data they have readily available and I can't see one(image) that could be called a match to that thumbnail.
Maybe some other eyes will see what I'm missing.
It's after 5pm Mountain Time and no one is answering the phones at the Snow and Ice Data Center right now. I was hoping to get an explanation for the discrepancies in the photos from someone that knew what was going on, but I guess that will have to wait.
An email has also been sent and 3 different voicemails left questioning why the photos don't match.
If anyone else wants to email or call then here's the info:
http://nsidc.org/...
http://nsidc.org/...