WCGNN (11 October 2015) #screenshots

World Comics and Graphic Novels News (WCGNN) - October 11, 2015

The Environmentorial (Featured News)

Featured News Article (The Environmentorial)

A team of researchers have shed light on the impact of climate change on plumbing system that governs the water flow in subglacial lake under the Greenland ice sheet. 

A team of experts, led by Dr Steven Palmer from the University of Exeter, has studied the water flow paths from one such subglacial lake, which drained beneath the ice sheet in 2011. 

The study shows, for the first time, how water drained from the lake - via a subglacial tunnel. Significantly, the authors present satellite observations that show that a similar event happened in 1995, suggesting that this lake fills and drains periodically. 

Lead author Dr Steven Palmer said that the research reveals details about the plumbing system beneath the Greenland ice sheet, which is important because the configuration of that system has an impact on the flow speed of the overlying ice. 

However, unlike Antarctic subglacial lakes, which are sustained through melting of the ice sheet base, the study shows that this subglacial lake has been fed by surface meltwater flowing down a nearby moulin - a circular, vertical shaft found within a glacier. 

The scientists predict that as the Arctic continues to warm, increasing volumes of surface meltwater routed to the ice sheet bed will cause subglacial lake drainage to become more common in the future. 

Because the way in which water moves beneath ice sheets strongly affects ice flow speeds, this increased drainage frequency could affect the sensitivity of the ice sheet to climate change, impacting the rate of future sea level change. 

Palmer added that they have made the first observations of how the Greenland ice sheet responds to subglacial lake drainage, but more research is required to understand the long-term impacts of these events. It is possible that draining subglacial lakes act to release the pressure at the ice sheet base, meaning that if they drain more frequently in the future, they may actually result in slower ice sheet flow overall. 

The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.

The Indus Litmus (Featured Article)

3 Incredible Destinations in India and How to Visit Them All in One Trip

This is a guest post by Ela from QuestOrganizer.com

India is on a bucket list of many travelers. Are you one of them?

Before you plan your escapade to this country make sure you go there in the right season. India has 4 seasons: winter, summer, monsoon and post-monsoon. The best time to visit is between late October and mid-March to skip the monsoon season during which it rains heavily in many regions in India almost every day.

Once you got the season covered, it’s time to decide which part of this big country you want to  visit. That’s not an easy choice – India is very diverse and full of beautiful places. It’s definitely worth to visit several cities to get the full taste for it.

If it seems like planning a trip to several places in India is too difficult you can try the multi-destination flight organizer. Here’s an example trip that could be an inspiration for you.

Multi city flight from London to Mumbai, Goa and Chennai

Photo 1

With this trip you can visit some of the best places in India:

Mumbai

The city was originally formed from seven islands and grew to be the second most populous city in India. Although this metropolis can feel chaotic and crowded, many incredible places can be visited in the city and surrounding area. For instance, you can visit Film City and experience Bollywood movie shooting.  If you like cricket you can easily find company to play it on the beach or street – it is a national sport in India and very popular in Mumbai. There are also some great places to visit in the area:

Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple

This Jain temple is renowned for its spectacular beauty. The entrance is artistically sculptured and it has two stone elephants statues on both the sides of the main gate. The temple is full of colorful paintings and decorative elements. The Jain Community is well known as a peace-loving one. They avoid violence and make sure not to kill any creature, even an insect.

Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple. Photo by Dennis Jarvis

Global Vipassana Pagoda

This Meditation Hall serves as a monument of peace and harmony. It was built out of gratitude to the Buddha and community of monks practicing his teaching. Its design is based on traditional Burmese design and it contains the world’s largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars. The Pagoda dome contains relics of Buddha, there’s also meditation centre and museum depicting his life.

Goa

Many travelers head to Goa for its splendid beaches, places of worship and architecture. Goa is known by the laid-back atmosphere, but there’s far more to discover than white sand beaches. It has rich flora and fauna and is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.  It’s history is interesting as well. Goa was conquered by Portuguese in 1510 and it stayed within their territory until it was annexed by India in 1961. Old Goa is the historic part  well worth visiting.  It reveals the influence of the Portuguese who occupied this part of India for about 450 years. Here, you can visit Basilica of Bom Jesus which is a great example of  baroque architecture combined with simplicity.

Goa Beach by Karl Francisco Fernandes

Goa Beach by Karl Francisco Fernandes

Chennai

Chennai is the fourth largest city in India, it has its own unique character and a rich tradition along with modern amenities and technology. This picturesque city includes beautifully carved temples, serene beaches, colonial monuments and much more. Apart of the city itself there are numerous attractions in the area which would make your stay in Chennai even more memorable.

Kapaleeshwar Temple in Mylapore

This ancient temple was once submerged under the sea… Inside you’ll find many Sannidhis dedicated to various gods.  The presiding deity of this temple is a form of Shiva called Kapaleeshwarar. According to the legend Lord Shiva have cut off one of the heads of Brahma (god of creation). In penance, Brahma installed a temple in this place.

Thousands of visitors go to the temple for the Mylapore Festival in March. They participate in the 10-day festivity during which the bronze statues are carried on large platforms in a colourful procession through the streets of Mylapore. A lot of people engage in drawing various designs on the streets with white kolam powder.  This festival has become a part of the local community life.

Hope this will help you plan an incredible trip to India! Remember, visiting more destination gives more experiences and knowledge about this fascinating country.