Antarctic Glacier Melt Like “Nothing in the Natural World”

Climate change studies of the Pine Island Glacier in Antarctica have worried scientists after revealing that the ice is now thinning four times faster than it was 10 years ago.

Satellite data shows that the glacier in west Antarctica is now loosing 16 meters of surface ice per year. Worse still, measurements show that the glacier has lowered by as much as 90 meters since 1994, which has serious implications for sea-level rise.

Calculations based on the rate of melting 15 years ago had suggested the glacier would last for 600 years. But the new data based on current levels of climate change points to a lifespan for the vast ice stream of only another 100 years. This will likely have a knock on effect, causing further climate change around the globe.

The ice is melting fastest in the centre of the glacier, which is sparking fears in scientists that the glacier may break up and effect the ice sheet further inland. Professor Andrew Shepherd of Leeds University claims that melted water from the centre alone would increase global sea levels by 3cm.

“But the ice trapped behind it is about 20-30cm of sea level rise and as soon as we destabilise or remove the middle of the glacier we don’t know really know what’s going to happen to the ice behind it. This is unprecedented in this area of Antarctica. We’ve known that it’s been out of balance for some time, but nothing in the natural world is lost at an accelerating exponential rate like this glacier.”

The news comes as research in the Arctic is finding evidence of dramatic climate changes. Researchers on board a Greenpeace vessel have been studying the northwestern part of Greenland.

“The science community has been surprised by how sensitive these large glaciers are to climate warming. First it was the glaciers in south Greenland and now as we move further north in Greenland we find retreat at major glaciers. It’s like removing a cork from a bottle.” Claims Professor Jason Box of the study.