A groundbreaking study conducted by an international team of scientists, led by the University of East Anglia in the UK, has shed light on the intricate relationship between adjacent ice shelves and their role in destabilizing one another. The research, focused on the Thwaites Ice Shelf in West Antarctica, highlights the significant impact of a small ocean gyre on the amount of glacial-meltwater flowing beneath the ice shelf. The findings have crucial implications for our understanding of sea-level rise and the stability of polar ice.
The Thwaites Ice Shelf, one of the largest in West Antarctica, supports the eastern side of the Thwaites Glacier, a rapidly retreating glacier that is a major contributor to global sea-level rise. Over the past two decades, the Thwaites Glacier has experienced alarming rates of retreat. Understanding the mechanisms behind this retreat is essential for predicting future sea-level rise accurately.
The study utilized a unique dataset collected by sensors installed beneath the Thwaites Ice Shelf, revealing that the shallow layers of the ocean beneath it experienced significant warming between January 2020 and March 2021. This warming was primarily driven by glacial meltwater originating from the Pine Island Ice Shelf, situated further east. When the gyre next to the Thwaites Ice Shelf weakens, more warm water can access the area beneath the ice shelf, accelerating its melting.
Lead author Dr. Tiago Dotto emphasizes the interconnected nature of ice shelves, stating that what happens to one can impact adjacent ice shelves and beyond. The melting of one ice shelf can export heat through ocean circulation to neighboring ice shelves. Consequently, the destabilization of ice shelves can have far-reaching consequences for sea-level rise.
The study highlights the importance of local ocean circulation and sea-ice interactions in understanding ice shelf stability. By allowing warm and meltwater-enriched water to enter adjacent ice shelves, these processes can prolong warm periods beneath the ice. This finding suggests that gyres in other regions around Antarctica may similarly contribute to intense basal melting and further exacerbate global sea-level rise.
The research underscores the complex dynamics at play in the Antarctic region and the interdependence of adjacent ice shelves. As our climate continues to warm, understanding these processes becomes increasingly crucial for accurate predictions of future sea-level rise. By illuminating the mechanisms through which adjacent ice shelves impact one another, this study contributes to our knowledge of the intricate relationships within polar environments, ultimately aiding efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.