Post by Andrei Tchentchik on Mar 12, 2020 18:52:42 GMT 2
(.#A.078).- The melting of the Thwaites Antarctic glacier under study.
The melting of the Thwaites Antarctic glacier under study.
Antarctica, where a record heat above 20 degrees Celsius was recorded on February 9, 2020, is more than ever under the microscope of scientists. An international team is currently studying the rapid melting of the Thwaites massive glacier.
It must be said that today, the area of certain parts of Western Antarctica is shrinking by 1 to 6 meters per year, compared to 0.5 to 1 meter at the end of the last ice age. The melting of the Thwaites glacier would raise the sea level by about 65 cm and, by domino effect, the retreat of other glaciers. The phenomena responsible for this melting are of course the rise in temperatures, but also the action of ocean currents.
• Seymour Island, February 9, 2020, +20.75 degrees Celsius: heat record in Antarctica.
• The Thwaites Glacier is 3 km deep and 120 km by 600 km in area.
HOW THE THWAITES GLACIER FOUNDS:
1- The heat of the air melts the ice.
2- It is no longer snowing enough to replace the ice that joins the ocean every year.
1- Arrival of warm sea currents, brought by winds whose trajectories have changed due to warming.
2- These currents dig a cavity under the glacier which is constantly growing.
3- When the cavity crosses the level of the anchor line, the ice floats and the glacier eventually comes off.
• Under the eyes of the robots
Robot submarines are sent under the ice, but also through it from the surface. They carry high definition cameras, sonar and instruments to monitor water flow, salinity, oxygen level and temperature.
Source: Graphic News, THWAITES GLACIER COLLABORATION, AFP. THE WORLD.
Research: Baptiste Zapirain
3D: Jean-Hugues Levasseur.
Infographic: Christine Lemus.
F I N.
The melting of the Thwaites Antarctic glacier under study.
Antarctica, where a record heat above 20 degrees Celsius was recorded on February 9, 2020, is more than ever under the microscope of scientists. An international team is currently studying the rapid melting of the Thwaites massive glacier.
It must be said that today, the area of certain parts of Western Antarctica is shrinking by 1 to 6 meters per year, compared to 0.5 to 1 meter at the end of the last ice age. The melting of the Thwaites glacier would raise the sea level by about 65 cm and, by domino effect, the retreat of other glaciers. The phenomena responsible for this melting are of course the rise in temperatures, but also the action of ocean currents.
• Seymour Island, February 9, 2020, +20.75 degrees Celsius: heat record in Antarctica.
• The Thwaites Glacier is 3 km deep and 120 km by 600 km in area.
HOW THE THWAITES GLACIER FOUNDS:
1- The heat of the air melts the ice.
2- It is no longer snowing enough to replace the ice that joins the ocean every year.
1- Arrival of warm sea currents, brought by winds whose trajectories have changed due to warming.
2- These currents dig a cavity under the glacier which is constantly growing.
3- When the cavity crosses the level of the anchor line, the ice floats and the glacier eventually comes off.
• Under the eyes of the robots
Robot submarines are sent under the ice, but also through it from the surface. They carry high definition cameras, sonar and instruments to monitor water flow, salinity, oxygen level and temperature.
Source: Graphic News, THWAITES GLACIER COLLABORATION, AFP. THE WORLD.
Research: Baptiste Zapirain
3D: Jean-Hugues Levasseur.
Infographic: Christine Lemus.
F I N.
