Antarctic Melting Could Be Faster Than Predicted, Fossils Reveal
Photo: David Vaughan, BBC
New research suggests Antarctica's ice sheet may retreat much quicker than previously thought. Clues come from markings on the Norwegian seafloor, left behind by a melting European ice sheet thousands of years ago.
Key takeaways:
Current fastest retreat rates in Antarctica are 30 metres per day.
New study reveals retreat rates of up to 600 metres per day in the past.
Similar conditions could trigger faster retreat in Antarctica's glaciers, impacting global sea levels.
Findings will help refine computer models predicting Antarctica's future in a warming climate.
PHOTO: BBC
Study in Nature explores past ice sheet retreat for clues on Antarctica's future
Researchers analysed the seafloor off the coast of Norway, where a massive ice sheet retreated 20,000 years ago. The seafloor's ridges reveal the retreat speed, reaching up to 600 metres per day in some areas.
Flat seabeds could trigger faster retreat in some Antarctic glaciers
The fastest retreat rates in Norway were observed on flat seabeds. This is significant because similar flat areas exist under Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, a giant glacier with immense potential to raise sea levels.
Geological record provides valuable insights for future predictions
While satellite data offers limited historical context, geological records like the one studied in Norway provide real-world observations of past ice sheet behaviour. This information is crucial for improving computer models that predict Antarctica's response to climate change.
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