Comments on: Back in the Saddle http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:30:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.2 Comment on Back in the Saddle by: Ray http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-406 Mon, 16 Jan 2006 17:37:25 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-406 J. Krafzik, First I must correct some errors that I made. The clockwise ocean currents are in the Pacific Ocean, bringing cooler air to the U.S. western coast in both winter and summer. This also provides much cooler water on our Western coast than we have on our Eastern coast. This means that kelp grows off the California coast, and coral off our Florida coast. The coral makes great islands in the carribean. The conveyor current in the Atlantic moves warm water counter-clockwise from our Florida coast to the western coast of Europe. This has only been interrupted once since the last ice age 13,000 years ago. Shortly after the last ice age, a warming trend (like we have now) caused a melting of the artic ice sheets, providing abundant fresh water in the northern atlantic, and causing the salt water conveyor to halt. The fresh water is lighter and stays on the surface, forcing the heavier salt water conveyor to the bottom. This created another "mini" ice age in Europe called the Younger Dryas that lasted for 1,300 years. In 1978 when we began monitoring the polar ice cap melting with satellites, we determined that the polar cap was melting at a rate of 9% per decade. More recently, the rate of melting has increased to 14% per decade. Yes, the conveyor is slowing in delivering carribean heat to Europe, and yes it is effecting the current temperatures in Europe. By how much is subject to great debate. By most calculations, during the last ice age, Chicago had over 200 feet of ice over it. At the same latitude, a similar event happened in Europe. It is not too late to get to Florida and buy some great real estate. Tell Claudia to leave her furs at home. J. Krafzik,

First I must correct some errors that I made. The clockwise ocean currents are in the Pacific Ocean, bringing cooler air to the U.S. western coast in both winter and summer. This also provides much cooler water on our Western coast than we have on our Eastern coast. This means that kelp grows off the California coast, and coral off our Florida coast. The coral makes great islands in the carribean.

The conveyor current in the Atlantic moves warm water counter-clockwise from our Florida coast to the western coast of Europe. This has only been interrupted once since the last ice age 13,000 years ago. Shortly after the last ice age, a warming trend (like we have now) caused a melting of the artic ice sheets, providing abundant fresh water in the northern atlantic, and causing the salt water conveyor to halt. The fresh water is lighter and stays on the surface, forcing the heavier salt water conveyor to the bottom. This created another “mini” ice age in Europe called the Younger Dryas that lasted for 1,300 years.

In 1978 when we began monitoring the polar ice cap melting with satellites, we determined that the polar cap was melting at a rate of 9% per decade. More recently, the rate of melting has increased to 14% per decade.

Yes, the conveyor is slowing in delivering carribean heat to Europe, and yes it is effecting the current temperatures in Europe. By how much is subject to great debate.

By most calculations, during the last ice age, Chicago had over 200 feet of ice over it. At the same latitude, a similar event happened in Europe.

It is not too late to get to Florida and buy some great real estate. Tell Claudia to leave her furs at home.

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: J. Krafzik http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-344 Fri, 13 Jan 2006 20:25:11 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-344 @Ray: As far as I know, the Gulf Stream is part of the Atlantic Conveyor, right? I've heard about this issue concerning the Gulf Stream. But I am sceptic. Fifty percent? Quite suddenly? Have you ever read or heard about the Atlantic Conveyor (or the Gulf Stream), losing its warmth during the last few years? I didn't. And now, overnight, it should be alarming? 50 % less? I can't believe. In my opinion, scientists are wrong too often... @Ray: As far as I know, the Gulf Stream is part of the Atlantic Conveyor, right? I’ve heard about this issue concerning the Gulf Stream. But I am sceptic. Fifty percent? Quite suddenly? Have you ever read or heard about the Atlantic Conveyor (or the Gulf Stream), losing its warmth during the last few years? I didn’t. And now, overnight, it should be alarming? 50 % less? I can’t believe. In my opinion, scientists are wrong too often…

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: Claudia http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-341 Fri, 13 Jan 2006 17:29:56 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-341 I just watched “March of the Penguins” and… I’m convinced! I just watched “March of the Penguins” and… I’m convinced!

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: Ray http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-339 Fri, 13 Jan 2006 16:46:16 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-339 I don't know how much attention this has gotten in Europe however; the Atlantic Conveyor is having difficulties. This is a stream of warm water that circles the Atlantic clockwise, bringing warm water to the western shores of Europe and therefore keeping moderate winters in place since the last ice age. The conveyor has lost approximately fifty percent of it's warm water. Some have suggested that this is a prelude to very cold weather (ice age?) in Europe. You will still be able to get to Miami with dogsleds Claudia! I don’t know how much attention this has gotten in Europe however; the Atlantic Conveyor is having difficulties. This is a stream of warm water that circles the Atlantic clockwise, bringing warm water to the western shores of Europe and therefore keeping moderate winters in place since the last ice age. The conveyor has lost approximately fifty percent of it’s warm water. Some have suggested that this is a prelude to very cold weather (ice age?) in Europe.

You will still be able to get to Miami with dogsleds Claudia!

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: J. Krafzik http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-321 Wed, 11 Jan 2006 18:43:43 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-321 Hi Ray, such snowy winter is characteristic for this region of Thüringen (which is, by the way, one of the northern neighbour states of Bavaria). The same applies to the Bavarian city of Füssen, which is <a href="http://www.stadt-fuessen.de/typo3temp/pics/ebf52c4655.jpg" target="_blank">located directly on the edge of the Alps</a>. The winter in both areas can be very severe. But the current season really seems to be frostier than in the past few years. Thanks a lot for the Florida tip. For senile mollycoddles like my friend and me, this might be the better choice to go on a survival tour for living a trapper's life ;-) Hi Ray, such snowy winter is characteristic for this region of Thüringen (which is, by the way, one of the northern neighbour states of Bavaria). The same applies to the Bavarian city of Füssen, which is located directly on the edge of the Alps.

The winter in both areas can be very severe. But the current season really seems to be frostier than in the past few years.

Thanks a lot for the Florida tip. For senile mollycoddles like my friend and me, this might be the better choice to go on a survival tour for living a trapper’s life ;-)

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: Claudia http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-318 Wed, 11 Jan 2006 16:06:30 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-318 Yes, Germany is now colder thanks to President Bush. Forget Nukes, America has gigantic snow machines and air conditioners pointed at Germany. Don’t mess with Texas, I tell ya. Yes, Germany is now colder thanks to President Bush. Forget Nukes, America has gigantic snow machines and air conditioners pointed at Germany. Don’t mess with Texas, I tell ya.

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: Ray http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-317 Wed, 11 Jan 2006 15:52:22 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-317 Having spent two winters in Bavaria, I got cold just looking at the pictures. This seems to be more snow than I had experienced. Is this a more severe winter? Is the next ice age upon us? Consider Miami for your next vacation. Having spent two winters in Bavaria, I got cold just looking at the pictures. This seems to be more snow than I had experienced. Is this a more severe winter? Is the next ice age upon us?

Consider Miami for your next vacation.

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: rc http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-314 Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:06:58 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-314 Beautiful! A very happy new year to you and your's! P.S. Love this blog! You guys rock! Beautiful! A very happy new year to you and your’s!

P.S. Love this blog! You guys rock!

]]> Comment on Back in the Saddle by: L. Burg http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-304 Tue, 10 Jan 2006 02:49:10 +0000 http://www.misunderestimatedgermans.com/2006/01/09/back-in-the-saddle/#comment-304 J. Krafzik Winter in Bavaria can be gloomy and romantic at the same time. Thanks for posting the great pics. J. Krafzik
Winter in Bavaria can be gloomy and romantic at the same time. Thanks for posting the great pics.

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