Scientists warn that the melting of Antarctica’s ice sheet could awaken hidden volcanoes beneath the continent. The frozen continent is home to over 100 volcanoes, many of which lie buried deep beneath the ice sheet. Researchers ran 4,000 computer simulations to study how the gradual loss of ice affects magma chambers beneath the Antarctic ice sheet.
The findings indicate that as the ice melts, it relieves pressure on rocks below, allowing compressed magma to expand. This process increases pressure on the walls of magma chambers, potentially triggering volcanic eruptions. The weight of the ice sheet acts as a cap on magma below, and when it melts, the overburden pressure drops, releasing gases that build up in the magma chamber.
This could create a slow feedback loop: melting ice reduces surface pressure, leading to more volcanic eruptions, which produce heat that accelerates ice melting. The study suggests that this process can occur over centuries, making it a long-term concern for Antarctica’s stability and global sea levels.
Historical evidence shows similar processes may have occurred during the last ice age. With Antarctic sea ice already contributing to rising seas, increased volcanic activity could amplify the problem. As the continent continues to warm, scientists are monitoring the situation closely, warning that humanity’s drastic actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may not be enough to stop this process.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-melting-volcanoes-b2674892.html