Melting iceberg

Icebergs melt during the summer, which decreases the albedo of the ocean surface by creating a darker surface that does not reflect solar radiation as a lighter surface would. This allows the ocean surface to become warmer, which leads to further melting. This is an example of a positive feedback mechanism.
Photo Credit: Ted Scambos and Rob Bauer, NSIDC
Originally uploaded in Integrate:Teaching for Sustainability.

Image 37778 is a 600 by 583 pixel JPEG
Uploaded: Nov28 12

Last Modified: 2012-11-28 12:57:08
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Photo Credit: Ted Scambos and Rob Bauer, NSIDC