"In the past, the ice sheets were protected by a bath of cold water, preventing them from melting. Now it looks like the ocean's circulation has changed, and it's almost like someone turned on the hot tap and now the bath is getting warmer!"
"For the first time, this clearly showed that deep ocean heat is encroaching on Antarctica. This not only contributes directly to the ice shelves' melting, but also pushes back the point where the ice meets the bedrock."
A study reveals that deep ocean heat is moving closer to Antarctica's ice shelves due to changing ocean circulation. The circumpolar deep water, typically trapped at 1,600 feet, is being dragged towards the surface by strong Southern Ocean winds. This warmer water, although only 2°C, is weakening the ice shelves that hold back significant inland ice. Researchers utilized data from floating probes and ships to confirm this trend, which could lead to substantial sea level rise as the ice melts.
Read at Mail Online
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