Abstract

Global Warming: The Bering Glacier Retreat and Sea Level Rise
Track: Climate, Weather, and Atmosphere
Author(s): Alaa Shams, Fulbert Namwamba, Michael Stubblefield, Revathi Hines, Lionel Lyles

Scientists have been divided over the issue of the existence of global warming. There is new, compelling evidence that global warming is driving climate change and sea level rise in the Arctic Region. Specifically, the Bering Glacier is currently undergoing rapid retreat indicated by its daily release of 30,000 c.f.s. of freshwater into the Pacific Ocean. The purpose of this research paper is threefold: to use remote sensing technology to show the rapid retreat of the Bering Glacier since its last surge in 1995, to use the GIS/GPS Red Hen Technology to create a 2007 aerial photography map of the retreating edge of the Bering Glacier, and to demonstrate exactly how much ice calving has taken place since 2006. During this twelve month period, the Bering Glacier retreated .52 Km. How this retreat is influencing sea level rise globally is considered also.

Alaa Shams
Southern University and A & M College
P.B.S. Pinchback Building
GIS LAB Room 390
Baton Rouge , Louisiana 70813
United States
Phone: 225-771-3704
Fax: 225-771-3704
E-mail: alaashams@engr.subr.edu

Fulbert Namwamba
Southern University and A & M College
390 P.B.S. Pinchback Building
GIS LAB
Baton Rouge , Louisiana 70813
United States
Phone: 225-771-3704
Fax: 225-771-3704
E-mail: fulbertnamwamba@engr.subr.edu

Michael Stubblefield
Southern University and A & M College
Lottie Anthony Hall
Room 122
Baton Rouge , Louisiana 70813
United States
Phone: 225-771-2809
E-mail: MICHAEL_STUBBLEFIELD@cxs.subr.edu

Revathi Hines
Southern University and A & M College
420 B Higgins Hall
Baton Rouge , Louisiana 70813
United States
Phone: 225-771-3210
E-mail: revaih@cox.net

Lionel Lyles
Southern University and A & M College
412 Higgins Hall
Baton Rouge , Louisiana 70813
United States
Phone: 225-771-2034
E-mail: lionellyles@cox.net