Neighboring glaciers located upstream play an important role in melting ice shelves. This has been reported by the University of East Anglia.
The Thwaites Ice Shelf is one of the largest in West Antarctica and supports the eastern side of the Thwaites Glacier’s main massif. The area of this glacier has shrunk significantly over the past 20 years, making it the largest contributor to global sea level rise versus other Antarctic glaciers.
Using sensors placed under the Thwaites Ice Shelf, the researchers observed that the shallow ocean underneath warmed significantly between January 2020 and March 2021. This warming was mainly due to an increase in the rate of meltwater flowing from the Pine Island Glacier to the east. The glacial meltwater mixes with the salt water and forms a floating layer that is warmer than the surrounding water. This lighter water brings the heat that melts the bottom of the Thwaites Ice Shelf.
“We identified another process that could affect the stability of ice shelves, demonstrating the importance of local circulation of ocean and sea ice.”, the authors explain. In this context, when modeling the consequences of climate warming for Antarctica, glaciers should not be analyzed separately, but their effects on each other should be taken into account.
Source: Port Altele
