D Thursday, September 24, 2009 METRO Climate has effect on El Nino cycle CLIMATE change is having a dramatic effect on the El Nino ocean warming phenomenon that influences the worlds weather, research has shown. Recent studies indicate that the event, a tongue- shaped recurring patch of warm water that forms in the eastern Pacific off the coast of Ecuador, is becoming less frequent. It is gradually being replaced by a new version of El Nino in the centre of the Pacific. El Nino Modoki a Japanese word meaning similar but different is characterised by a horseshoe-shaped region of warm ocean flanked by unusually cool waters. New evidence from climate simulation studies in the US suggests that the changing pattern is being driven by global warming. As a result, scientists predict that El Nino Modoki is likely to be occurring five times more often by the end of the century. Space laser sees glacier melting fast LASERS beamed from space have revealed that glaciers in the Antarctic and Greenland are melting faster then previously predicted, climate scientists said yesterday. The findings are said to be the most comprehensive picture yet of the decline and an important step towards more accurate predictions for future sea- level rise. Analysis of millions of Nasa satellite measurements from both regions vast ice sheets shows the most serious ice loss is a result of glaciers speeding up where they flow into the sea. This dynamic thinning of glaciers now occurs on all Greenland latitudes, has intensified on key Antarctic coastlines, is penetrating far inside the ice sheets and is spreading as ice shelves thin by ocean-driven melt. The University of Bristol and British Antarctic Survey report is published in the journal, Nature. Rusty or dusty: Sydney Harbour Bridge becomes little more than a dim smudge as the worst dust storm in 70 years hits Australia Picture: Getty Sydneys red dawn MOST of Australias east coast was choked with dust yesterday as the red centre belched thousands of tonnes of dirt towards the coast. Sydneysiders awoke to an eerie orange dawn as the countrys worst dust storm in 70 years threw the citys airport and ferry services into chaos. It did feel like Armageddon. Look- ing out the skylight, there was this red glow, resident Karen told ABC radio. Ambulance services received more than 250 calls by midday from people suffering breathing problems. Vulner- able people were told to stay inside while hardy commuters wrapped scarves around their faces. Ten very dry years in southern Aus- tralia and strong westerly winds caused the storm, said NigelTapper at Monash University, in Victoria. In the past week, hailstorms have battered parts of Australia while heat- waves and wildfires hit elsewhere. By Jo Steele Rouged: the face of luna Park orange glow: A surfer on Bondi BeachHidden: the citys iconic opera House is barely visible index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html