A groundbreaking study has shed new light on the ever-changing nature of Antarctic ice shelves. Researchers have made a startling discovery in the region: the massive Ross Ice Shelf, which is comparable in size to France, moves forward several centimetres once or twice a day. This movement is caused by the Whillans Ice Stream, a fast-moving river of ice that occasionally gets stuck and then surges ahead.
Published in Geophysical Research Letters, the research highlights how the Whillans Ice Stream exhibits a stop-and-go motion, unlike most glaciers that move at a slow pace. The lack of water lubrication beneath the stream may be causing it to intermittently stick and then release built-up pressure in sudden bursts. These sudden shifts, resembling tremors along earthquake faults, exert pressure on the Ross Ice Shelf.
While daily movements are not directly linked to human-induced warming, they could contribute to weakening the Ross Ice Shelf. Ice shelves act as barriers, slowing down glaciers and ice streams into the ocean. If they break apart or disintegrate entirely, they could accelerate melting rates and sea level rise. Scientists are closely monitoring this situation.
The research team emphasizes that fractures and icequakes are natural events on ice shelves but will remain vigilant for signs of disintegration similar to past occurrences with smaller ice shelves. The study underscores how complex and dynamic Antarctic ice shelves can be and highlights the need for ongoing research to comprehend their future under a changing climate.
In conclusion, this new study brings attention to an aspect of Antarctic ice shelf dynamics that was previously unknown. It also raises concerns about their stability under climate change conditions, highlighting why continued monitoring is necessary for scientists to understand these dynamic systems better.