Uncovering the Secrets of Antarctica’s Ice: How East and West React Differently to Climate Change
The Antarctic ice sheets have been a topic of concern in recent years due to the accelerated melting caused by global warming. A new study led by the Alfred Wegener Institute sheds light on the history of the Antarctic ice sheet formation, revealing surprising findings about the differences between East and West Antarctica.
The research team, comprised of international scientists from various institutions, used sediment samples from drill cores combined with complex climate and ice-sheet modeling to reconstruct the history of the Antarctic ice sheet. They found that around 34 million years ago, the Antarctic ice sheet began to form, but it was limited to East Antarctica initially. It wasn’t until at least 7 million years later that the ice was able to advance towards the West Antarctic coasts.
Dr. Johann Klages, the lead researcher on the study, explained that during the first major phase of Antarctic glaciation, West Antarctica remained ice-free while East Antarctica experienced the formation of permanent ice. This indicates that the first glaciation must have begun in East Antarctica, where the conditions were more favorable for ice formation.
The study also highlighted the different responses of East and West Antarctica to external forcing. The researchers found that East Antarctica was more susceptible to the formation of permanent ice due to moist air masses reaching the Transantarctic Mountains, creating ideal conditions for ice formation. In contrast, West Antarctica took longer to become glaciated, as it required colder temperatures for the ice to advance towards the coast.
The findings of this study are crucial for understanding the climate transition from a greenhouse world to an icehouse world and provide valuable insights for climate models. The researchers emphasized the importance of accurately simulating the interactions between ice, ocean, and atmosphere to predict future climate changes.
The research team was able to retrieve unique data using the MARUM-MeBo70 seafloor drill rig during the expedition PS104 on the research vessel Polarstern in West Antarctica. This technology allowed them to drill deep into the seabed and retrieve samples that were previously inaccessible.
Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of the Antarctic ice sheet’s history and its response to climate change. The researchers hope that their findings will help improve climate models and prepare for potential future climate transitions.