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In a study published on Nature Climate changeScientists rely on recent discoveries to highlight the multifaceted dynamics of superficial melting in Antarctica. The authors of the study are from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, the Cooperative Institute for Environmental Science Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Rowan University. .
Antarctica is often considered a cold, high and dry place, and this is certainly the case with the Earth's largest ice cap, which currently blocks about 58 meters of sea level rise. recent studies indicate that in the warmer future, more of the surface of the Antarctic Ice Sheet will melt. Whether this new water accumulates in the lakes, moves in the rivers or is absorbed into the snow near the surface, in the manner of a sponge, has enormous consequences on the water. sea level rise around the world.
Today, Antarctica loses most of its ice mass by melting away from the ocean and separating itself from the breaking of icebergs. But recent research indicates more and more that this is not always the case. As global temperatures continue to rise, the Antarctic could gradually face a loss of ice from top to bottom, due to the warming of the atmosphere. In fact, recent modeling work has shown that this may be a warmer atmosphere that would feed Antarctic's major contributions to sea-level rise during this century. This modeling work has been complemented by observations over the past several decades in the Antarctic Peninsula region, where several pack ice broke up due to the warming of the air, which caused an increased surface melt. This melting formed large meltwater lakes that caused the fracture and fragmentation of the pack ice. Once this dissolution occurs, the ice of the inner Antarctic accelerates in the ocean.
However, in our ever-evolving understanding of Antarctic melting water production, the authors also demonstrate that a warming of the atmosphere is only a consideration; Winds and local scale reactions can be even more important for melted melt. For example, this warmer atmosphere can lead to more snowfall, which, perhaps counter-intuitively, could also prevent melting, while creating more of a sponge-like layer of hazelnut to absorb water. of cast iron.
Understanding what happens to meltwater after its formation is a crucial problem that needs to be solved. Scientists have gained some knowledge of Greenland, where surface melting is much more important today. For example, in Greenland, we know that meltwater can seep into the snow and settle in the subsoil, forming vast aquifers. If such features begin to form on Antarctic ice shelves, they could threaten the future stability of ice shelves. However, the Antarctic Ice Shelves are not the only thing that should concern us in the future. If the ice surface in Antarctica melts sufficiently at the surface, some of this water could reach the base of the icecap and affect the flow of ice in the ocean, as is already the case in a large area. part of the Greenland icecap.
In the end, the authors argue that solving the problem of the Antarctic's response to climate change is an increasingly complex task. It has created new questions and an urgent need for a concerted, multidisciplinary and international effort. They write that observations are needed today from ground and space, and it is imperative that ice cap patterns and climate be representative of the various processes affecting melting and hydrology in Antarctic. Given that Antarctica is able to significantly alter the sea level globally, these are pressing concerns that require increased scientific attention.
More information:
Robin E. Bell et al. Antarctic surface hydrology and impacts on the sea ice mass balance, Nature Climate change (2018). DOI: 10.1038 / s41558-018-0326-3
In a study published on Nature Climate changeScientists rely on recent discoveries to highlight the multifaceted dynamics of superficial melting in Antarctica. The authors of the study are from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, the Cooperative Institute for Environmental Science Research at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Rowan University. .
Antarctica is often considered a cold, high and dry place, and this is certainly the case with the Earth's largest ice cap, which currently blocks about 58 meters of sea level rise. recent studies indicate that in the warmer future, more of the surface of the Antarctic Ice Sheet will melt. Whether this new water accumulates in the lakes, moves in the rivers or is absorbed into the snow near the surface, in the manner of a sponge, has enormous consequences on the water. sea level rise around the world.
Today, Antarctica loses most of its ice mass by melting away from the ocean and separating itself from the breaking of icebergs. But recent research indicates more and more that this is not always the case. As global temperatures continue to rise, the Antarctic could gradually face a loss of ice from top to bottom, due to the warming of the atmosphere. In fact, recent modeling work has shown that this may be a warmer atmosphere that would feed Antarctic's major contributions to sea-level rise during this century. This modeling work has been complemented by observations over the past several decades in the Antarctic Peninsula region, where several pack ice broke up due to the warming of the air, which caused an increased surface melt. This melting formed large meltwater lakes that caused the fracture and fragmentation of the pack ice. Once this dissolution occurs, the ice of the inner Antarctic accelerates in the ocean.
However, in our ever-evolving understanding of Antarctic melting water production, the authors also demonstrate that a warming of the atmosphere is only a consideration; Winds and local scale reactions can be even more important for melted melt. For example, this warmer atmosphere can lead to more snowfall, which, perhaps counter-intuitively, could also prevent melting, while creating more of a sponge-like layer of hazelnut to absorb water. of cast iron.
Understanding what happens to meltwater after its formation is a crucial problem that needs to be solved. Scientists have gained some knowledge of Greenland, where surface melting is much more important today. For example, in Greenland, we know that meltwater can seep into the snow and settle in the subsoil, forming vast aquifers. If such features begin to form on Antarctic ice shelves, they could threaten the future stability of ice shelves. However, the Antarctic Ice Shelves are not the only thing that should concern us in the future. If the ice surface in Antarctica melts sufficiently at the surface, some of this water could reach the base of the icecap and affect the flow of ice in the ocean, as is already the case in a large area. part of the Greenland icecap.
In the end, the authors argue that solving the problem of the Antarctic's response to climate change is an increasingly complex task. It has created new questions and an urgent need for a concerted, multidisciplinary and international effort. They write that observations are needed today from ground and space, and it is imperative that ice cap patterns and climate be representative of the various processes affecting melting and hydrology in Antarctic. Given that Antarctica is able to significantly alter the sea level globally, these are pressing concerns that require increased scientific attention.
More information:
Robin E. Bell et al. Antarctic surface hydrology and impacts on the sea ice mass balance, Nature Climate change (2018). DOI: 10.1038 / s41558-018-0326-3
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