In the past 22 years, the Denman Glacier in East Antarctica has fallen by nearly 3 km. Scientists fear that the shape of the earth's surface under the ice shield could make the glacier more vulnerable to climate change.

Denman Glacier

If the glacier began to thaw intensely, it would cause an increase in sea levels around 1,5 meters around the world. Scientists are therefore completing a detailed examination of the glacier and its surroundings, revealing its alarming state with regard to further global warming.

Everything is published in an article by American Geophysical Union Geophysical Research Letters.

President and Professor Donald Bren said: “East Antarctica has long been considered less endangered because glaciers such as Denman have been thoroughly researched and guarded. But now we see evidence of the instability of sea ice in this area, and that is really alarming.

The ice in West Antarctica has melted much faster in recent years, but the size of the Denman Glacier and the fact that it is also melting is a big exclamation point for the risk of long-term sea level rise. ”

Study

According to the study, between 1979 and 2017 there was a cumulative loss of iceberg mass of 268 billion tons of ice. Using radar interferometry data from a satellite system, researchers have identified a ground line - the point at which ice leaves the earth and begins to float in the ocean.

Study leader Virginia Brancato said: "Data from a differential synthetic aperture radar interferometer from 1996 to 2018 showed us a significant asymmetry in this line."

The eastern block is protected by a subglacial ridge. The western wing of the glacier, which is approximately 4 km long, has a deep and steep trough leading to a faster retreat. And this side of the iceberg is a risk. Due to its shape, there is the potential for rapid retreat of ice, which would mean an increase in global sea level.

COSMO-SkyMed

In December, Nature Geoscience published a study on the BedMachine Antarctica project led by Mathieu Morlighem, who discovered that the trough under the Denman Glacier extends 3 meters below sea level, making it the deepest canyon on Earth.

Scientists use the TanDEM-X satellite in conjunction with COSMO-SkyMed data to assess the melting rate of sea areas. They found that Denman loses about 3 meters more ice annually than other glaciers in eastern Antarctica.

Rignot adds: "We need to collect data near Denman and keep an eye on the line. The Italian satellite system COSMO-SkyMed is for us the only tool for monitoring conditions and changes in this sector of Antarctica. We are lucky to have Dr. Brancato, who has extensive experience and can work with this satellite to provide us with the most accurate data. "

Here you can see what Antarctica looks like

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