How a hidden 460km river could affect Antarctica’s melting

Published in the journal Nature GeologyA new study points to an active subglacial river that may contribute to ice loss in Antarctica.

The research is the result of a collaboration between Imperial College London and University of Newcastle, UK, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia and University of Waterloo, Canada.

The river, which is about 460 km long, was discovered using weather radars that can analyze the bottom of the ice sheet and models that calculate how water flows and where it rises.

According to experts, there are two ways glacial rivers can form. The first is the melting of the outermost layer of ice, which can melt and flow through deep fissures.

The second situation is when there is a meltdown at the base of the glacier. The friction of the ice and the heat taken from the Earth’s core form the flowing water veins.

Apparently, the subglacial river fits this latter type and poses a risk to glaciers in the South Pole.

Because the water is flowing, this will be a more vulnerable place, which will significantly increase the melting of Antarctic ice, helping more ice melt through friction to flow.

According to the scientists, with more runoff along with other climatic factors, only the studied region would have the potential for a global sea level rise of 4.3 meters.

Researchers continue to study the issue by observing and verifying the behavior of the ice and how much it is decreasing, making predictions about the possible impacts of melting on the world.