• Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Climate Change Dispatch
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Who We Are
  • Facts Vs. Fearmongering
    • Real science vs Junk Science
      • 1100-plus Peer-Reviewed Studies
      • 97% – Myth of the Climate Change Consensus
      • Michael Crichton: Aliens Cause Global Warming
      • Climate change and its causes
      • Climate Science Primer
      • CO2 is not pollution
      • Deceptive Surface Temperature Records
      • Editorial: Great Global Warming Hoax
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 1
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 2
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 3
      • Why CO2 Is A Minor Player In Global Climate
      • Why Politicized Science Is So Dangerous
    • Facts Not Fear
      • A Simple Question For Climate Alarmists
      • Climate Change – The Facts
      • Climate Change Fears Are Empirically Baseless
      • Global Warming 101
      • Global Warming Q&A
      • Understanding The Medieval Warm Period
      • Ocean Cycles and Climate
      • Overview of Plate Climatology Theory
      • Precautionary Principle
      • Should We Celebrate Carbon Dioxide?
      • The Skeptics Handbook
      • Weather Versus Climate
      • Why I’m a GW skeptic
      • Winning the climate debate with facts
      • Why Aliens Cause Global Warming
    • Greenhouse FAQs
      • CO2, Plants, & Industry
      • How much have temps changed?
      • How much have temps changed?
      • How much have temps changed?
      • Is global warming real?
      • Measuring temperature
      • Swimming in CO2?
      • Scientists urge caution?
      • Today’s warming trend
      • Variations in temperature
    • Gore’s Greatest Goofs
      • Deconstructing the Truth
      • Fact-Checking Al Gore’s Latest Predictions
      • How Gore Created The Global Warming Hoax
    • Inside Real Climate
      • Closer look at the 97% Consensus
      • GW’s Amazing Story
      • IPCC gets failing grade
      • Real Climate Exposed!
      • Truth about Real Climate
      • We’ve Been Conned
      • What is there a 97% consensus about?
    • Behind the IPCC
      • 1,000 Scientists Dissent
      • Climategate: Caught Green-Handed!
      • Climategate Inquiries
      • Climategate Inquiries 2
      • NIPCC Report Now Available
      • Understanding the Climategate Inquiries
  • Submissions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Who We Are
  • Facts Vs. Fearmongering
    • Real science vs Junk Science
      • 1100-plus Peer-Reviewed Studies
      • 97% – Myth of the Climate Change Consensus
      • Michael Crichton: Aliens Cause Global Warming
      • Climate change and its causes
      • Climate Science Primer
      • CO2 is not pollution
      • Deceptive Surface Temperature Records
      • Editorial: Great Global Warming Hoax
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 1
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 2
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 3
      • Why CO2 Is A Minor Player In Global Climate
      • Why Politicized Science Is So Dangerous
    • Facts Not Fear
      • A Simple Question For Climate Alarmists
      • Climate Change – The Facts
      • Climate Change Fears Are Empirically Baseless
      • Global Warming 101
      • Global Warming Q&A
      • Understanding The Medieval Warm Period
      • Ocean Cycles and Climate
      • Overview of Plate Climatology Theory
      • Precautionary Principle
      • Should We Celebrate Carbon Dioxide?
      • The Skeptics Handbook
      • Weather Versus Climate
      • Why I’m a GW skeptic
      • Winning the climate debate with facts
      • Why Aliens Cause Global Warming
    • Greenhouse FAQs
      • CO2, Plants, & Industry
      • How much have temps changed?
      • How much have temps changed?
      • How much have temps changed?
      • Is global warming real?
      • Measuring temperature
      • Swimming in CO2?
      • Scientists urge caution?
      • Today’s warming trend
      • Variations in temperature
    • Gore’s Greatest Goofs
      • Deconstructing the Truth
      • Fact-Checking Al Gore’s Latest Predictions
      • How Gore Created The Global Warming Hoax
    • Inside Real Climate
      • Closer look at the 97% Consensus
      • GW’s Amazing Story
      • IPCC gets failing grade
      • Real Climate Exposed!
      • Truth about Real Climate
      • We’ve Been Conned
      • What is there a 97% consensus about?
    • Behind the IPCC
      • 1,000 Scientists Dissent
      • Climategate: Caught Green-Handed!
      • Climategate Inquiries
      • Climategate Inquiries 2
      • NIPCC Report Now Available
      • Understanding the Climategate Inquiries
  • Submissions
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Climate Change Dispatch
No Result
View All Result

Fire and Ice

by James Edward Kamis
January 29, 2015, 1:40 PM
in News and Opinion
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
0
Basal geothermal heat flow melts/collapses Hagafellsjökull Glacier in Iceland

West Antarctica, Greenland, the central Arctic Ocean Basin, Iceland, and now the Svalbard Island Chain have one thing in common: powerful and currently active geological forces—specifically geothermal heat flow and associated fluid release—are melting their glacial ice masses.

This contention is supported by previous postings here, here, here, and here.

So where exactly is the Svalbard Island Chain, and of what importance is it? Thrust into prominence by recent reports of rapid ice melting in one specific continental glacier, these islands are located north of Iceland along the giant Mid-Atlantic / Arctic Mid-Ocean Rift Complex.

This broad geological region has been the focus of debate concerning the cause of what climate experts perceive as unnatural amounts of oceanic and continental glacial retreat due to man-made global warming. So how does the Svalbard Island Chain fit into this picture?

It sits smack dab in the heart of several recently active geologically induced geothermal heat and gas release events (see geologic map below).

First, Iceland’s eye-catching volcanism, which captured the curiosity of the world, erupted and its associated heat flows rapidly melted huge continental glaciers. It is important to understand that while pictures of Icelandic eruptions make good press, there is another very significant component to the Icelandic heat-flow story: “convective systems.”

Convective systems are associated with surface faults and fractures that penetrate deep into the earth (1-2 miles) and tap reservoirs of super-heated water, thereby transmitting this heated water back to the surface. Their effect can melt glaciers (see Hagafellsjökull Glacier Iceland photo above), form hot springs, and induce rapid increases in continental glacial velocities.

South of Svalbard, a recently discovered 200-mile-long string of very active deep-ocean hydrothermal vents indicates that this portion the rift system Nicknamed Loki’s Castle is well…heating up (see Figure1). Norwegian scientists refer to this region as Norway’s “Yellowstone” at the bottom of the sea.

Figure 1

Beginning in April 2014 and continuing to present day, Loki’s Castle has been rocked by numerous earthquakes, many of significant magnitude (see Figure 2). This earthquake swarm demonstrates that active and powerful geologic forces exist just south of the Svalbard Islands. Closer to, and west of the Svalbard Island Chain, a magnitude 5.4 earthquake was recorded in January 2015.

Figure 2

To the west, recent acceleration of Greenland’s Jacobshaven Glacier is almost certainly related to geologically induced heat flow. This glacier was actually growing and not accelerating quickly, when recently and quite suddenly it began melting from below and speeding down a long linear and purported here a fault-bounded valley.

To the north, a recent earthquake along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Rift System released a 1,000-mile-long pulse of methane into the overlying ocean. Remote-sensing NASA satellites measured this gas release once it vertically escaped through the ocean into the atmosphere. This massive gas release is compelling evidence that known Deep Ocean hydrothermal vents along this segment of the rift have become active.

The following salient observations, many geological in nature, may help you put recently published and overly dramatic press reports of “shockingly rapid” glacial acceleration on the Svalbard Islands into a more naturally occurring context.

Increased Svalbard Glacial acceleration started suddenly in 2012, was limited to one continental glacier, occurred in only one portion of the Austfonna ice cap, was verified to NOT occur in the adjacent Vestfonna ice cap, and has not been documented elsewhere in the island chain (Figure 3).

These facts infer that the acceleration is not regional in nature as would be expected if related to regional atmospheric or ocean warming. Geological surface maps of the Svalbard islands show a highly faulted and folded terrain created by geological forces associated with the nearby world-class rift system.

These salient observations strongly suggest that the cause of Svalbard glacial acceleration is geological in nature, quite possibly caused by sub-glacial heat flow from a heretofore-unrecognized “convective system” that has lain dormant under the Austfonna ice cap until reactivated by recent fault and volcanic activity. This type of activity is known to exist across the entire region.

Figure 3

Clearly geologically induced heat flow is a tenable alternative explanation to recent glacial acceleration on the Svalbard Islands. Disappointingly, this possibility is never mentioned in worldwide press releases, but the much more speculative notion of man-made global warming is mentioned in nearly all media coverage.

Why?

Worldwide, overwhelming amounts of data and observations now virtually prove that powerful geological forces associated with active Deep Ocean and Continental Rift Systems have a strong effect on climate trends, including glacial ice melting. Still, this notion is rarely considered, much less mentioned by the press, NASA, NOAA, environmental groups, or politicians.

Selectively withholding key geological data, observations, and relationships allow global warming advocates to spin a pseudo-scientific explanation for polar ice melting, to efficiently provoke people to incite impassioned responses, to garner headlines, and to sway national and worldwide environmental policies.

Conversely, rationally discussing the geological relationship between “Fire and Ice” in the context of the Plate Climatology Theory is far more thought-provoking, avoids needless confrontation, and more importantly, increases the chances of discovering the truth about natural climate variations.


James Edward Kamis is a retired professional Geologist with 42 years of experience, a B.S. in Geology from Northern Illinois University (1973), an M.S. in geology from Idaho State University (1977), and a longtime member of AAPG who has always been fascinated by the connection between Geology and Climate. More than 42 years of research/observation have convinced him that the Earth’s Heat Flow Engine, which drives the outer crustal plates, is an important driver of the Earth’s climate as detailed at his site Plate Climatology Theory.

References

https://notendur.hi.is/oi/svalbard_geology.htm

http://www.thelocal.no/20130802/Volcanic-range-discovered-in-Norwegian-waters

http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/viewFile/17320/pdf_1

http://nhm2.uio.no/norges/litho/svalbard/quat_text.htm

Undersea volcanic activity creating new island chain at Norway’s Loki’s Castle

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150123081723.htm

http://www.vukcevic.talktalk.net/CET-NV.htm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080626-arctic-volcano.html

http://phys.org/news11323.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/01/23/an-arctic-ice-caps-shockingly-rapid-slide-into-the-sea/

http://ktwop.com/tag/rolf-birger-pedersen/

  • Truth
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Gettr
  • Threads
  • gab-logo Gab
  • Mastodon
  • Buffer
  • Telegram
  • Email
  • Copy Link
  • Share Using More Networks…

Popular Posts

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The ‘Green’ Scam Of The Century: How ‘Renewables’ Increase Fossil Fuel Demands

Oct 23, 2024
News and Opinion

Antarctica Is Colder, Icier Today Than At Any Time In 5,000 Years

Apr 15, 2024
Energy

30-Plus Signs That The Climate Scam Is Collapsing

Apr 09, 2025

Stay Connected On Social Media

gab-logo

Donate Today

Beating back the alarmist narrative takes time and money. Please donate today to help!

Recent Posts

  • climate protestNew Report: 5 Foreign Charities Funneled Billions Into Extreme U.S. Climate Activism
    Oct 31, 2025
    A new report shows how a group of foreign 'charities' has spent almost $2 billion bankrolling policy fights and pushing an extreme climate agenda. […]
  • BYD electric vehicleCanada Easing Tariffs On Chinese EVs Could Shake Up The Auto Landscape
    Oct 31, 2025
    Chinese automakers may gain access to North American markets as U.S. carmakers face tougher export odds under Trump’s tariff strategy. […]
  • Calif desert wind farmCalPERS Clean Energy Fund Loses $330 Million, Taxpayers On The Hook
    Oct 31, 2025
    CalPERS lost $330M betting on clean energy, leaving taxpayers exposed as the state retirement system refuses to explain the losses. […]
  • Outdoor gas barbie BBQSydney Bans Gas Barbecues In Latest Push Toward ‘Net Zero’
    Oct 31, 2025
    Sydney’s net-zero crusade now extends to the backyard, with the city banning outdoor gas barbecues to save the planet. […]
  • EPA headquartersIf Govt Shutdown Continues, EPA Eyes Agency Furloughs And Climate Funding Cuts
    Oct 30, 2025
    With agency employees already furloughed and billions in climate-focused grants at risk, EPA head Lee Zeldin warns the agency could face even deeper cuts. […]
  • Hurricane MelissaSorry, AP: Hurricane Melissa’s Strength Isn’t Proof Of Climate Change
    Oct 30, 2025
    The AP attributes Melissa’s rapid intensification to climate change, ignoring long-term hurricane data and natural variability […]
  • coral reef clown fishNew Study Finds Great Barrier Reef Coral Cover At Its Highest Since 1985
    Oct 30, 2025
    New study finds Great Barrier Reef coral cover at its highest cover since 1985, with no long-term decline despite past bleaching events. […]
  • Earth spacePhysician: Adaptation, Not Alarmism, Is The Most Effective Climate Solution
    Oct 30, 2025
    An Australian physician says human ingenuity and adaptation—not alarmism—offer the most effective path to climate resilience. […]
  • cnn harry eatonCNN Data Analyst Admits Most Voters Simply Don’t Care About Climate Change
    Oct 29, 2025
    Most Americans remain unconcerned about climate change despite decades of alarmism, CNN’s Harry Enten admits. […]
  • COP30 BrazilAs COP30 Looms, Trump Challenges Unhinged ‘Climate Crisis’ Narrative
    Oct 29, 2025
    Trump slams the climate hoax, questions the green new scam and so-called climate crisis, and defends U.S. fossil fuels ahead of COP30. […]

Get Instant Email Notifications

Subscribe to receive a digest of daily stories, or get emailed once they're published. Check your Junk/Spam folder for a verification email.

Submit a tip

Please enter your email, so we know you're human.

Books You May Like

exposing great lie

Have a suggestion? Let us know! We swap out books based on your input. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. See here.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

© Portions copyright Climate Change Dispatch

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Who We Are
  • Facts Vs. Fearmongering
    • Real science vs Junk Science
      • 1100-plus Peer-Reviewed Studies
      • 97% – Myth of the Climate Change Consensus
      • Michael Crichton: Aliens Cause Global Warming
      • Climate change and its causes
      • Climate Science Primer
      • CO2 is not pollution
      • Deceptive Surface Temperature Records
      • Editorial: Great Global Warming Hoax
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 1
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 2
      • Rules for Climate Radicals: Part 3
      • Why CO2 Is A Minor Player In Global Climate
      • Why Politicized Science Is So Dangerous
    • Facts Not Fear
      • A Simple Question For Climate Alarmists
      • Climate Change – The Facts
      • Climate Change Fears Are Empirically Baseless
      • Global Warming 101
      • Global Warming Q&A
      • Understanding The Medieval Warm Period
      • Ocean Cycles and Climate
      • Overview of Plate Climatology Theory
      • Precautionary Principle
      • Should We Celebrate Carbon Dioxide?
      • The Skeptics Handbook
      • Weather Versus Climate
      • Why I’m a GW skeptic
      • Winning the climate debate with facts
      • Why Aliens Cause Global Warming
    • Greenhouse FAQs
      • CO2, Plants, & Industry
      • How much have temps changed?
      • How much have temps changed?
      • How much have temps changed?
      • Is global warming real?
      • Measuring temperature
      • Swimming in CO2?
      • Scientists urge caution?
      • Today’s warming trend
      • Variations in temperature
    • Gore’s Greatest Goofs
      • Deconstructing the Truth
      • Fact-Checking Al Gore’s Latest Predictions
      • How Gore Created The Global Warming Hoax
    • Inside Real Climate
      • Closer look at the 97% Consensus
      • GW’s Amazing Story
      • IPCC gets failing grade
      • Real Climate Exposed!
      • Truth about Real Climate
      • We’ve Been Conned
      • What is there a 97% consensus about?
    • Behind the IPCC
      • 1,000 Scientists Dissent
      • Climategate: Caught Green-Handed!
      • Climategate Inquiries
      • Climategate Inquiries 2
      • NIPCC Report Now Available
      • Understanding the Climategate Inquiries
  • Submissions
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Climate Change Dispatch

 
Share via
  • Facebook
  • Like
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Digg
  • Tumblr
  • VKontakte
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Buffer
  • Love This
  • Weibo
  • Pocket
  • Xing
  • Odnoklassniki
  • WhatsApp
  • Meneame
  • Blogger
  • Amazon
  • Yahoo Mail
  • Gmail
  • AOL
  • Newsvine
  • HackerNews
  • Evernote
  • MySpace
  • Mail.ru
  • Viadeo
  • Line
  • Flipboard
  • Comments
  • SMS
  • Viber
  • Telegram
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook Messenger
  • Kakao
  • LiveJournal
  • Yammer
  • Edgar
  • Fintel
  • Mix
  • Instapaper
  • Copy Link
  • Truth
  • gab-logo Gab
  • Gettr
  • Baidu
  • Mastodon
  • Threads
  • Bluesky
Share via
  • Digg
  • Tumblr
  • VKontakte
  • Print
  • Email
  • Reddit
  • Buffer
  • Love This
  • Weibo
  • Pocket
  • Xing
  • Odnoklassniki
  • WhatsApp
  • Meneame
  • Blogger
  • Amazon
  • Yahoo Mail
  • Gmail
  • AOL
  • Newsvine
  • HackerNews
  • Evernote
  • MySpace
  • Mail.ru
  • Viadeo
  • Line
  • Flipboard
  • Comments
  • SMS
  • Viber
  • Telegram
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook Messenger
  • Kakao
  • LiveJournal
  • Yammer
  • Edgar
  • Fintel
  • Mix
  • Instapaper
  • Copy Link
  • Truth
  • gab-logo Gab
  • Gettr
  • Baidu
  • Mastodon
  • Threads
  • Bluesky