An American scientist says a mile wide expanse of ice-free water has opened up at the North Pole on a recent trip in a Russian Icebreaker, last month.

Dr McCarthy told the New York Times newspaper "It was totally unexpected," The scientists say the ice cap in the whole area was so thin that the ship had to sail for another 10 kilometres (six miles) to find ice thick enough for the passengers to leave the boat and walk on the ice cap, as they had been promised.

The party also saw ivory gulls flying overhead, which ornithologists say is a first for the area.
"Some folks who pooh-pooh global warming might wake up if shown that even the pole is beginning to melt at least sometimes"

But other scientists are less sure. They say movements in polar ice regularly create gaps in the ice cap - including at the North Pole itself.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/888235.stm
**Thoughts
Regarding that last comment. Gaps so big?
Anyone had read the historys of Amundsen, Peary, Bird, and others who struggled to reach the North Pole, (in summer while it was light)might not be so glib.

I wonder if its possible to use Sub-Millimeter Radar, to average out any increase in actual ocean heights, over time? Surely a factual increase in ocean height would lay the Global Warming debate to rest.

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"You will never find a real Human being - even in a mirror." .....Mike Kremer.

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considering that the first person to reach it was less that a century ago, which was only a few years after the LIA ended, and few people have been there, and none stayed for long, its hard to say that this is that unusual. Until the advent of the satalites. there was no way to keep it under survalence for more than a few minutes per decade. Since the first stalites did not monitor the north pole much if any, and it was not to much later (i believe the 1990's) that satalites flew over it constantly takeing reading, there is little if any data about it long term. one of the common things known about ice flows is that they dont flow smoothly at all times. some times gaps appear. Considering that this accord shortly after the hottest year on record (1998), this really is not that unexpected.

now if they could say that it had open water every year since 2000 then it might be a evidence of global warming. As it is, what it is, is evidence that we have warmed up since the LIA.

Mike: The melting of ice floating on the Arctic Ocean will not change sea level. It's the melting of ice that's NOT floating on saltwater that will change sea level (ice caps on islands, Greenland, Antarctica and mountain glaciers). The very fact that there's open water up there should at least make people think something's going on.

Dehammer: At what point does disappearing sea ice, melting glaciers and the encroachment of temperate species into areas formerly too cold to support them make you think that there's something to this global warming thing?

The bible promises a return to Eden, and here it comes. The Earth is rapidly becoming a warm, wet, lush garden for all to enjoy. What is your problem?

Uncle Al asks:
"What is your problem?"

Answer:
http://www.deh.gov.au/events/iydd/

Glad to hear the lord of the universe smiles on the postage stamp where you live. Not everyone is so fortunate. But then I guess someone with such a huge compassionate heart will just invite everyone else over for tea.