TO CLOSE

A group of researchers used a supercomputer and millions of satellite images to create a new map in Antarctica.
USA TODAY & # 39; HUI

An emperor penguin chick rubs its parent in the middle of their colony on Antarctic Snow Hill Island(Photo: Anne Chalfant)

Are you planning a trip to Antarctica? Now, there is a new map to guide your path.

Scientists from Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota have created what they best map, the most complete and most accurate ever made on the frozen continent at the bottom of the world (see example below).

"Until now, we had a better map of Mars than that of Antarctica," said Ian Howat, professor of earth sciences at Ohio State. "Now, it's the best-mapped continent on Earth."

The map uses high-resolution satellite images to show the continent with "staggering details". It will also provide new information on climate change.

Surprisingly, researchers now know the height of each mountain and all the ice in the whole of Antarctica a few meters away. "This is the highest resolution terrain map of any continent," said Howat.

"Considering that Antarctica is the tallest, driest and one of the most remote places on the planet, we now have an incredible topographic model," said researcher Paul Morin. in Earth Sciences at the University of Minnesota.

Global warming has dramatically changed the landscape in recent decades. More than 3 trillion tons of ice has melted since Antarctica since 1992, according to a study released earlier this year.

More: Move or die: global warming threatens the Antarctic penguins

More: Global warming has melted more than 3 billion tonnes of ice in Antarctica since 1992 and only worsens

This equates to more than 2 quadrillion gallons of water added to the world's oceans, making Antarctic ice melt a major contributor to rising sea levels.

"Now we can see the changes in the melting and deposition of the ice better than ever," Morin said. "This will help us understand the impact of climate change and sea level rise. We can see it before our eyes.

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