Tag

Ice Shelf

All articles tagged with #ice shelf

Thwaites Ice Shelf on Verge of Breakup, Raising Sea-Level Alarm
science2 days ago

Thwaites Ice Shelf on Verge of Breakup, Raising Sea-Level Alarm

A 45-kilometer ice shelf in front of Antarctica's Thwaites glacier is actively cracking and breaking away, a development scientists describe as a potential tipping point that could unleash a rapid collapse of part of West Antarctica and raise global sea levels by roughly 13 to 16 feet; researchers noted unusually warm, fast-moving waters beneath the ice and attempted to monitor the collapse, signaling heightened risk to coastal regions worldwide.

Hidden Channels Under Antarctic Ice Shelves Trap Warm Water, Accelerating Melt
science12 days ago

Hidden Channels Under Antarctic Ice Shelves Trap Warm Water, Accelerating Melt

A Nature Communications study shows long grooves beneath the Fimbulisen Ice Shelf trap warmer seawater, intensifying local melting and potentially weakening the ice shelf. Even modest inflows of warm water can dramatically increase melt where channels exist, a process not well captured by many climate models, suggesting East Antarctica may be more vulnerable than previously thought.

Unmanned sub spots eerie Antarctic ice patterns, then goes dark
science1 month ago

Unmanned sub spots eerie Antarctic ice patterns, then goes dark

A University of Gothenburg unmanned submarine Ran captured images of unusual step-like and teardrop-shaped features beneath West Antarctica’s Dotson Ice Shelf in 2024; scientists say melting undercuts the ice shelf creates these patterns, not Atlantis, and warming ocean waters are driving ice loss and sea‑level rise. Ran II is being funded to continue exploring Antarctic underwater anomalies with Swedish researchers.

Deep Antarctic Drill Uncovers Ancient Open-Ocean Clues
science3 months ago

Deep Antarctic Drill Uncovers Ancient Open-Ocean Clues

Scientists drilled 523 meters through the Crary Ice Rise on the Ross Ice Shelf and recovered 228 meters of sediment, finding evidence that parts of West Antarctica were once open ocean as recently as about 23 million years ago. The findings help decode past ocean temperatures and environmental conditions to improve predictions of future ice loss and sea‑level rise; samples are being analyzed in New Zealand after transport from Antarctica.

Antarctic Submersible Vanishes After Revealing Hidden Ice Structures
science3 months ago

Antarctic Submersible Vanishes After Revealing Hidden Ice Structures

A robotic submersible named Ran, part of an international effort to study West Antarctic ice shelves, disappeared under the Dotson Ice Shelf in January 2024 after completing a detailed ~140 sq km survey that uncovered previously undocumented subglacial features, including teardrop-shaped melt formations; no beacon or debris has been found, the incident halts follow-up data collection in the Amundsen Sea, and investigators are weighing equipment failure or collision as possible causes, while the 2022 dataset continues to inform revised models of basal melting driven by warm Circumpolar Deep Water.

Antarctic Ice Shelf Teeters Toward Collapse, Hinting at Record Sea-Level Rise
science4 months ago

Antarctic Ice Shelf Teeters Toward Collapse, Hinting at Record Sea-Level Rise

A new study finds cracks in Antarctica’s Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf have weakened its structure, with fracturing progressing in two phases over two decades. If the shelf collapses, global sea levels could rise by about 65 centimeters (roughly 2 feet) as the ice retreats at a rapid pace for decades. The Arctic is warming about three times faster than the global average, driving significant ice loss and shrinking sea ice, which NASA and other agencies have monitored for years. The report underscores the need for reducing pollution and changing human behavior to slow Arctic melt and mitigate future sea‑level rise.

Mysterious Disappearances and Discoveries Beneath Antarctic Ice
science4 months ago

Mysterious Disappearances and Discoveries Beneath Antarctic Ice

Scientists used autonomous underwater vehicles to map the underside of Antarctica's Dotson Ice Shelf, revealing complex terrain and uneven melting patterns driven by warm ocean currents. During a follow-up mission in 2024, the vehicle disappeared, raising concerns about the stability of ice shelves and their role in sea level rise, as melting accelerates in specific areas.

Submersible Uncovers Antarctic Secrets, Then Disappears
science1 year ago

Submersible Uncovers Antarctic Secrets, Then Disappears

A submersible named Ran, used to explore the Dotson Ice Shelf in Antarctica, has mysteriously vanished after discovering complex underwater structures and melting patterns. The disappearance poses a setback for Antarctic research, highlighting the challenges of exploring remote regions. Despite this, the data collected in 2022 has provided valuable insights into ice shelf dynamics and climate change, emphasizing the need for continued innovation in underwater exploration technology.