New Trigger of Antarctic Ice Sheet Loss Could Become a Significant Source of Sea-Level Rise

Nature Communications, 14 September 2022

Scientists have identified a significant new trigger for faster Antarctic ice sheet loss, which could have a major impact on the East Antarctic ice sheet and contribute to greater sea level rise than previously predicted. When a miles-thick ice sheet slides across the rocky ground below it, the friction generated by this motion warms the bottom of the ice and accelerates melting, a process known as “basal melt”. Researchers found that a relatively small amount of basal melting could cause parts of Antarctica that are currently stable to experience significant ice loss relatively rapidly (within a 100-year period). The study identified two key areas of Antarctica that may be especially vulnerable to basal melt: the Enderby-Kemp and George V Land regions of East Antarctica. These regions had not previously been considered to be at particular risk, but the new research suggests they could become leading contributors to sea level rise, in addition to previously identified regions that are marine-based, such as Thwaites in West Antarctica. As a result, millions of people in coastal cities around the world may be at greater risk of rising sea levels than has been previously assumed. These findings underscore the crucial importance of early greenhouse gas emission reductions in line with the Paris Agreement, in order to lower the risk of massive coastal losses due to sea level rise.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-32632-2