Ocean currents along the underside of the ice are a major control over melting.
Antarctica
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Southern Hemisphere Subtropical Lower Stratosphere is Warming
Warming of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) subtropical lower stratosphere is due to slowing of Brewer-Dobson Circulation, thus cooling the Antarctic lower stratosphere and masking anticipated ozone recovery.
Posted inResearch & Developments
Scientists Ask NSF to Keep Only Antarctic Icebreaker Afloat
On 28 July, more than 170 researchers sent a letter to National Science Foundation leaders and Congress, urging them to reconsider the decision to terminate the lease of the Nathaniel B. Palmer, the United States’ only Antarctic research vessel-icebreaker (RVIB) and a key part of science operations around the White Continent.
Posted inNews
Whaling Records Can Help Improve Estimates of Sea Ice Extent
The locations of humpback whale catches in the early 20th century indicate that most climate models overestimate the historic extent of sea ice in the Southern Ocean.
Posted inNews
Anchoring Is Damaging the Fragile Antarctic Seabed
Scientists call for better protection of Antarctica’s vulnerable seafloor ecosystem as ship traffic increases around the continent.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Where Do Antarctic Submarine Canyons Get Their Marine Life?
A new study investigates how much of the phytoplankton in the Palmer Deep submarine canyon is homemade and how much is delivered.
Posted inNews
Is Your Shampoo Washing Up in Antarctica?
Researchers have found chemicals from personal care products like shampoo, deodorant, and laundry soap in Antarctic snow.
Posted inNews
Pungent Penguin Poop Produces Polar Cloud Particles
The discovery highlights how penguins and other polar seabirds help shape their environments, even as they are under threat from climate change.
Posted inNews
Newly Discovered Algae May Speed Melting of Antarctic Ice
Purple pigmentation in a diverse array of algae absorbs heat and creates a feedback loop responsible for 2% of total daily melting.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Nonlinear Dynamics May Lead to Faster Retreat of Antarctic Ice
The Antarctic ice sheet behaves like a non-Newtonian fluid and may be more nonlinear than previously thought. This impacts its future stability and requires revisions to predictions of sea level rise.