Nature World Today

Nature's Best Site

Arctic Underbelly Melting at an Accelerated Pace

by 47 Comments

Warming ocean temperatures have caused large chunks of Antarctica’s underbelly to melt much faster than their normal rates should allow, according to a new study in Nature Geoscience.

When researchers analyze the melting arctic, they often look at the outer regions where damage is the most visible. However, in the new study a team of scientists from the University of Leeds found that there is a lot more going on beneath the surface.

They discovered that ice is receding deep below eight of Antarctica’s largest glaciers at a pace that is five times faster than what models predict. If such melting continues it would not only rise the world’s sea levels, it could cause the largest ice sheet on Earth to completely collapse.

Editorial content

“Our study provides clear evidence that retreat is happening across the ice sheet due to ocean melting at its base,” said lead author Hannes Konrad, a climate researcher at the University of Leeds in England, according to Live Science. “This retreat has had a huge impact on inland glaciers, because releasing them from the sea bed removes friction, causing them to speed up and contribute to global sea-level rise.”

For the new research, the team combined buoyancy equations with satellite imagery to map out the invisible retreat of underwater ice across more than 10,000 miles of Antarctica’s coastline. They took special interest in geographical features known as grounding lines — areas where glacier ice meets with solid ocean bedrock — because such regions reveal how much a glacier melts.

While some grounding line retreat is natural, current levels go far beyond normal melting rates. The lines should diminish at a pace of roughly 82 feet per year. However, some regions are receding at a pace of 600 feet per year. In fact,the data showed that warming ocean temperatures melted away roughly 565 square miles of underwater ice between 2010 and 2016.

While only 2 percent of the entire continent retreated at that pace, it is still cause for concern. That is because if nothing is done about the accelerated melting it will cause the entire inland sheet to collapse into the ocean. That would then cause global sea levels to rise by 10 feet or more by 2100.

The team hopes to further their study of grounding lines in order to figure out why some areas are melting so much quicker than others. This study is the first step in such a process.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. 56097 387845hello!,I like your writing so much! share we communicate extra approximately your post on AOL? I need to have an expert in this space to solve my difficulty. Maybe that is you! Looking ahead to see you. 39395

  7. 568646 769307Hi this is somewhat of off subject but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or in case you need to manually code with HTML. Im starting a weblog soon but have no coding understanding so I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience. Any assist would be greatly appreciated! 981117

  9. 676808 763570You produced some decent points there. I looked on the internet for that issue and located most individuals goes along with along together with your internet site. 89277

  10. 549797 574647I need to admit that that is one great insight. It surely gives a company the opportunity to have in about the ground floor and really take part in making a thing special and tailored to their needs. 182241

  12. 497193 43326Thanks for taking the time to discuss this topic. I genuinely appreciate it. Ill stick a link of this entry in my blog. 157401

  13. 929081 240534You created some decent points there. I looked on the net for any issue and found most individuals goes in addition to with all your web site. 855110

  18. 781709 865643It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and its time to be happy. Ive read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some fascinating points or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this write-up. I want to read even a lot more things about it! 321415

  19. 664430 147379I was suggested this weblog by way of my cousin. Im no longer confident whether or not this put up is written by him as nobody else realize such detailed about my trouble. You are amazing! Thanks! 207642

  22. 288788 185904Oh my goodness! an outstanding post dude. Many thanks Nonetheless We are experiencing difficulty with ur rss . Dont know why Not able to sign up to it. Could there be anybody acquiring identical rss dilemma? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 321856

  23. 434480 419740As I web-site possessor I believe the content material matter here is rattling amazing , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck. 716460

  25. 390260 872257I require to admit that that is 1 amazing insight. It surely gives a company the opportunity to have in around the ground floor and genuinely take part in producing a thing unique and tailored to their needs. 279633

  28. 668409 40373Most beneficial gentleman speeches and toasts are created to enliven supply accolade up towards the wedding couple. Newbie audio system the attention of loud crowds should always take into consideration typically the great norm off presentation, which is their private. very best man speaches 603485

  29. 650223 572438 There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you produced certain good points in attributes also. 763411

  32. 165807 423458I believe this internet internet site has got very superb indited articles content . 11953

  35. 556659 324027The truth is and see if the Hcg diet protocol and as a consequence HCG Drops certainly are a in fact quick way to be able to shed pounds; whilst the healthy diet has a strong will most likely moreover sizable focus to undertake positive. hcg diet drops 219464

  36. 259392 40894Hi, in case you want to get higher rankings, you must check out the plugin I left in my link, it will aid. 114991

  37. 662858 713343Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I wish to put in writing like this moreover ?taking time and precise effort to make an outstanding article?but what can I say?I procrastinate alot and certainly not appear to get one thing done. 431144

  41. 422371 425817This article is dedicated to all those that know what is billiard table; to all those that do not know what is pool table; to all people who want to know what is billiards; 367974

  45. The assignment submission period was over and I was nervous, baccaratsite and I am very happy to see your post just in time and it was a great help. Thank you ! Leave your blog address below. Please visit me anytime.

  46. 803881 759163I added this write-up to my favorites and program to return to digest much more soon. Its effortless to read and recognize as properly as intelligent. I truly enjoyed my first read by way of of this article. 41535

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.