The movement of heavy glaciers in Antarctica is a fascinating phenomenon. Ice streams act as conveyor belts, transporting vast amounts of ice and sediment debris towards the ocean at a rapid pace.
This discovery is particularly noteworthy due to the sheer size of the Ross Ice Shelf, which is comparable to the land area of France.
Doug Wiens, the Robert S. Brookings Distinguished Professor of earth, environmental and planetary sciences in Arts & Sciences, revealed that the entire shelf experiences sudden movements of 6 to 8 centimeters (or 3 inches) once or twice a day, triggered by an ice stream slip. These movements could potentially lead to icequakes and fractures in the ice shelf.
The Ross Ice Shelf, a massive floating ice formation, extends over the ocean from inland glaciers.
Scientists are closely monitoring the interactions between ice shelves and ice streams, especially in the context of climate change and its potential impact on the stability of Antarctica’s ice shelves.
2024-03-30 04:00:03
Article from phys.org