Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB NHL Golf Horse Racing Tennis Col. Football Col. Basketball
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features Archives
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Archive Almanac
About Feedback
About Feedback
Search
World News
July 11, 2015 / 5:34 PM

Earth heading for 'mini ice age' in just 15 years, scientists say

By
Doug G. Ware
Ice piles up along the a breakwater in Chicago on January 7, 2014. Solar scientists predict that the Earth will enter a "mini ice age" around 2030 due to decreased activity by the sun, which will bring with it frigid cold winters. The last time the Earth experienced a similar situation occurred between 1645 and 1715. File photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

LLANDUDNO, Wales, July 11 (UPI) -- Solar scientists, armed with the best data yet regarding the activities of the sun, say the Earth is headed for a "mini ice age" in just 15 years -- something that hasn't happened for three centuries.

Professor Valentina Zharkova, of the University of Northumbria, presented the findings at the National Astronomy Meeting in Wales this week, Britain's Independent reported Saturday.

Researchers, saying they understand solar cycles better than ever, predict that the sun's normal activity will decrease by 60 percent around 2030 -- triggering the "mini ice age" that could last for a decade. The last time the Earth was hit by such a lull in solar activity happened 300 years ago, during the Maunder Minimum, which lasted from 1645 to 1715.

Scientists say there are magnetic waves in the sun's interior that fluctuate between the body's northern and southern hemispheres, resulting in various solar conditions over a period of 10 to 12 years. Based on that data, researchers say they are now better able to anticipate the sun's activity -- which has led to the Zharkova team's prediction.

"Combining both [magnetic] waves together and comparing to real data for the current solar cycle, we found that our predictions showed an accuracy of 97 percent," Zharkova said.

If the "mini ice age" does indeed arrive, scientists say it will be accompanied by bitter cold winters -- frigid enough to cause rivers, like the Thames in London, to freeze over.

Read More

Study: Last time it was this hot, seas rose 20 feet Climate protest disrupts London's Heathrow Airport Study: Volcanic eruptions momentarily slow climate change New composite X-ray image reveals active regions of Sun Astronomers find rare five-star system
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more UPI news and photos.

Trending Stories

Pentagon chief to review funds to shift for building border wall
Anthony Weiner released from prison to federal re-entry program
Four hostages, gunman dead after 12-hour hostage standoff in Mississippi
EPA plans to scale back federal protection of waterways
Teen who joined IS in Syria gives birth, seeks return to Britain

Photo Gallery

 
King wins Best in Show at the Westminster dog show

Latest News

Crude futures rise as global politics is expected to affect supply
Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next' debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200
Smoking may hurt body's fight against skin cancer
Kim Jong Un could travel to Vietnam by train
Nearly 3,000 Germans don Smurf costumes for Guinness record
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy