The South Pole is losing its moorings. In fact, compared to 50 years ago, the anchor points between glacial shields and underlying rock are melting faster. The consequence is that the glacial mantle is no longer held back and is sliding into the sea, accelerating the melting of ice in Antarctica. This in particular is happening at 1/3 of the ‘fixation points’.
This study was done by the University of Edinburgh and appeared du Nature. It is the first to attempt to estimate the changes in rock-anchored ice tongues that hold back land-based glacier shields from sliding into the sea. This is done through the attachment points. They form when part of a floating ice cap still at an elevation on the ocean floor, creating a visible protuberance on the otherwise smooth surface of the ice shelf.
By mapping and monitoring these protuberances, the authors have reconstructed a historical series to highlight trends, which accelerated around the year 2000.
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