Accelerated ice melt in Antarctica

 

Context

According to new research, the rate of melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet will increase over this century no matter how much we reduce fossil fuel use.

Key Points

1. The researcher used a high-resolution computer model of the Amundsen Sea.

1. Ocean-driven melting of floating ice shelves in the Amundsen Sea is the main process controlling sea-level rise.
2. The Amundsen Sea is located off the coast of West Antarctica.

2. The objective was simple—to find out how much of the melting is unavoidable and how much we still have control over through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Even taking into account variable climate phenomena like El Nino, the researchers found no difference between mid-range emission scenarios and scenarios where we achieve the most ambitious targets of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

1. Even under what would be considered a best-case scenario—a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase in temperature—ice melting will increase three times faster than during the 20th century.

About Ocean-driven melting of floating ice: -

1. It follows the following sequence Melting causes the retreat of the grounding line (i.e., the line where the ice first goes a float).
2. It reduces the resistance to ice flowing across the grounding line; faster flow near the grounding line causes more horizontal stretching leading to thinning.
3. It creates steeper surface slopes which increases the stress that drives the ice forward, the faster flow inland causes thinning to propagate even further into the interior of the ice sheet, increasing the contribution to sea level rise.

Impact of the recent revelation

Global Challenge

1. As sea levels rise, the world faces the challenge of dealing with displacement and a potential refugee crisis affecting millions, or even billions, of people. Finding solutions to address this looming crisis is crucial for the well-being of future generations.

 

 

  Must Check: Best IAS Coaching In Delhi