Climate change melting southern Antarctic Peninsula ice shelves
23.02.2010
The US Geological Survey (USGS) has found that every ice front in the southern part of the Antarctic Peninsula—the coldest part—has been retreating overall
for the past sixty years with the greatest changes visible since 1990.
"This research is part of a larger ongoing USGS project that is for the first time studying the entire Antarctic coastline in detail, and this is important
because the Antarctic ice sheet contains 91 percent of Earth's glacier ice," said USGS scientist Jane Ferrigno. "The loss of ice shelves is evidence of the effects of
global warming. We need to be alert and continually understand and observe how our climate system is changing."
Antarctica (2) -- Analyses -- 2010
More about the melting
23.02.2010
The melting of ice shelves won't directly lead to sea level rise, since ice shelves already rest in the ocean. However, the loss of the shelves will allow melt from the
terrestrial Antarctic ice sheet to reach the ocean and eventually raise sea levels threatening islands, low-lying areas, and coastal communities and cities.
If all the land-based ice in Antarctica melted, researchers estimate that sea-levels would rise by over 213-240 feet (60-73 meters).
Researchers found that even the coldest part of the Antarctic Peninsula has been affected. They say that melting in the Antarctic Peninsula represents a good model of how
other parts of Antarctica will react as global temperatures continue to climb.
Previously the USGS documented that the majority of ice fronts on the Antarctic Peninsula have retreated during the late 20th Century and early 21st Century.
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