Warmer waters are flowing towards the East Antarctic ice sheet, according to our alarming new research which reveals a potential new driver of global sea-level rise.
unequivocal ocean warming at a rate of up to 2 ℃ to 3 ℃ since the earlier half of the 20th century. This equates to 0.1 ℃ to 0.4 ℃ per decade.So how is this warming linked to climate change? The answer relates to a belt of strong westerly winds over the Southern Ocean. Since the 1960s, these winds have been moving south towards Antarctica during years when the Southern Annular Mode, a climate driver, is in a positive phase.increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The East Antarctic ice sheet was once thought to be relatively stable and sheltered from warming oceans. That's in part because it's surrounded by very cold water known as"dense shelf water". Part of our research focused on the Vanderford Glacier in East Antarctica. There, we observed the warm water replacing the colder dense shelf water.
The movement of warm waters towards East Antarctica is expected to worsen throughout the 21st century, further threatening the ice sheet's stability.on the effects of climate change in the East Antarctic has generally assumed that warming first occurs in the ocean's surface layers. Our findings – that deeper water is warming first – suggests a need to re-think potential impacts on marine life.
Robust assessment work is required, including investment in monitoring and modeling that can link physical change to complex ecosystem responses. This should include the possible effects of very rapid change, known as tipping points, that may mean the ocean changes far more rapidly than marine life can adapt., for example, breed by sinking eggs to deep ocean depths. Warming of deeper waters may affect the development of eggs and larvae.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Unprecedented algae blooms, warm waters threaten Lake Tahoe's blueTahoe’s environment is facing “the largest and most significant” changes in 50 years.
Read more »
Humpback whale spotted breaching waters of Boston HarborA humpback whale was caught on video breaching in Boston Harbor on Monday morning.
Read more »
As waters recede, Kentucky begins recovery from devastating floodsHundreds of National Guard have fanned out across eastern Kentucky to help residents displaced this week by severe flooding that swept away homes and vehicles, and killed at least 37 people, the governor said on Wednesday.
Read more »
Warm, mostly clear conditions expected in SoCal WednesdaySOCAL FORECAST: Expect hot temps, clear skies Wednesday, but thunderstorms are returning soon. Details in forecast by abc7danny here:
Read more »