"hpeer" wrote in message
m...

(snippage)
The new analysis shows that Antarctic surface temperatures increased an
average of 0.22°F (0.12°C) per decade between 1957 and 2006. That's a rise
of more than 1°F (0.5°C) in the last half century. West Antarctica warmed
at a higher rate, rising 0.31°F (0.17°C) per decade. The results,
published Jan. 22 in Nature, confirm earlier findings based on limited
weather station data and ice cores.

West Antarctica is particularly vulnerable to climate changes because its
ice sheet is grounded below sea level and surrounded by floating ice
shelves. If the West Antarctic ice sheet completely melted, global sea
level would rise by 16 to 20 feet (5 to 6 meters).

link http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...-sch012209.php

Ah, but what is the cause to this effect? "Global Warming" is the easy
answer, but here is another: Pacific Rim Volcanic Activity. While the
Pacific "Ring of Fire" is generally thought of as more or less an inverted
"U" shape, it actually extends to the Antarctic Plate.

http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explor...edia/fig1.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0229183818.htm

In any event, we'll eventually have new coastlines to explore while
cruising.