TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Antarctic glacier has moved eight kms after being stable for 50 years.
EXPLANATION:
- The recent observation of significant movement and collapse of the Cadman Glacier’s ice shelf in Antarctica has raised concerns about the vulnerability of polar ice dynamics to climate change.
- This event, characterized by an accelerated retreat of the glacier after decades of stability, highlights the potential repercussions of warming oceans on Antarctic glaciers.
SCIENTIFIC INSIGHTS:
- Utilizing information from nine satellite missions, including ESA’s CryoSat and Copernicus Sentinel-1, researchers were able to analyze the changes in the ice shelf and glacier.
- The study revealed that between November 2018 and May 2021, the Cadman Glacier retreated an astonishing eight kilometers after being stable for almost 50 years.
- The rapid retreat is attributed to ocean water temperatures that were up to 2°C warmer than average during 2018–2019 around the west Antarctic Peninsula.
RESEARCH FINDINGS AND CAUSES:
- Researchers pointed out that warmer waters began undermining the Cadman Ice Shelf as early as the 1970s, with noticeable effects becoming pronounced by the early 2000s.
- The warm water not only affected the surface but also penetrated deeper layers of the ocean, potentially reaching the point where the ice shelf grounded on the seafloor.
- This bottom-up melting was detected through satellite observations.
IMPACT OF ICE SHELF LOSS:
- The collapse of ice shelves like the Cadman Ice Shelf plays a pivotal role in glacier stability.
- These shelves act as a barrier, floating on the ocean surface and anchoring to the ocean floor, which slows down the flow of glacial ice towards the sea.
- With the loss of the Cadman Ice Shelf, this crucial support has been removed, leading to increased discharge of ice into the ocean at an alarming rate.
IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSION:
- This research underscores the vulnerability of Antarctic glaciers to changes in oceanic temperatures, emphasizing the potential for rapid ice loss due to climate change.
- As global leaders prepare for discussions on climate action, the situation in Antarctica serves as a compelling call to address warming oceans.
- It poses threats not only to polar regions but also to global sea levels and ecosystems.
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