The Antarctic, which holds 90% of the planet's ice, is melting at an alarming rate, according to recent research. The ice shelves that act as barriers to glacial flow are disappearing, leading to significant sea-level rise.
A new international study led by oceanographer Kaitlin Naughten indicates that even if global CO2 emissions were halted immediately, substantial portions of the Antarctic ice are already doomed to inevitable melting. The study reveals that the rapid loss of ice shelves is critical, as their disappearance allows glaciers to flow freely into the ocean.
Using innovative technologies, researchers observed that 68 out of 162 ice shelves have significantly shrunk between 1997 and 2021. The Thwaites Ice Shelf, crucial for holding back the Doomsday Glacier, has lost 70% of its mass since 1997.
Moreover, the Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing unprecedented vegetation growth, with green areas expanding from 1 km² in 1986 to 12 km² in 2021, signaling ecological shifts. The findings underscore the urgent need for understanding and addressing climate impacts on marine ecosystems.