“ANTARCTICA IS CHANGING”: OVER 40 PERCENT OF ICE SHELVES MELTED IN 25 YEARS

Sun 15 October 2023:

A recent study by scientists at the University of Leeds discovered a troubling trend in Antarctica, where over 40% of the ice shelves had drastically shrunk since 1997. The fact that over half of these ice shelves show “no signs of recovery” and that this occurrence is intimately linked to climate change is frightening.

According to the researchers’ findings, the western section of Antarctica lost 67 trillion tonnes of ice between 1997 and 2021, while the eastern side gained 59 trillion tonnes. However, the total result is a significant ice loss of 7.5 trillion tonnes throughout this time span.

This imbalance is due to the influence of warm water in the western region causing ice melting, while the eastern area remains relatively stable or even gains ice due to colder water conditions, Guardian reported.

Impact on ocean currents

Ice shelves, situated at the terminus of glaciers, serve to impede the flow of glacial ice into the sea.

As these ice shelves shrink, they release larger volumes of freshwater into the ocean, which can disrupt the critical currents of the Southern Ocean.

This disruption has a far-reaching impact on ocean circulation, which can, in turn, affect global climate patterns.

Dr. Benjamin Davison, an Earth observation expert and the lead researcher, reportedly said, “There is a mixed picture of ice-shelf deterioration, and this is to do with the ocean temperature and ocean currents around Antarctica.”

“The western half is exposed to warm water, which can rapidly erode the ice shelves from below, whereas much of east Antarctica is currently protected from nearby warm water by a band of cold water at the coast,” he added.

Satellite-based research

The study used satellite technology to monitor annual changes in the ice, even during the long polar nights when clouds obscure observations. More than 100,000 images captured from space were analysed to assess the health of Antarctica’s ice shelves, which are of global significance.

The 67 trillion tonnes of freshwater released into the ocean over the 25-year period is not only a concerning sign of ice shelf instability but also has repercussions for the world’s ocean currents, which are instrumental in transporting heat and nutrients globally.

Davison said, “We expected most ice shelves to go through cycles of rapid, but short-lived shrinking, then to regrow slowly. Instead, we see that almost half of them are shrinking with no sign of recovery.”

Professor Anna Hogg, from the University of Leeds and a co-author of the study, said: “The study has generated important findings. We tend to think of ice shelves as going through cyclical advances and retreats. Instead, we are seeing a steady attrition due to melting and calving.

“Many of the ice shelves have deteriorated a lot: 48 lost more than 30% of their initial mass over just 25 years.

“This is further evidence that Antarctica is changing because the climate is warming.

“The study provides a baseline measure from which we can see further changes that may emerge as the climate gets warmer.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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