Antarctica, the frozen continent, has long been shrouded in mystery. A new map, called Bedmap3, has unveiled a detailed view of the land beneath the millions of miles of ice, revealing towering mountains and deep canyons hidden from sight.
Led by the British Antarctic Survey, the study used over 60 years of data from planes, satellites, ships, and even sleds pulled by dogs to compile the map. The results were published in the journal Scientific Data and represent a significant refinement using 82 million data points.
The new map provides a clearer understanding of Antarctica’s rock bed, with notable discoveries including an unnamed canyon in Wilkes Land with ice over 15,000 feet thick. This is thicker than previously thought, challenging earlier maps which placed it in the Astrolabe Basin In Adelie Land.
The significance of Bedmap3 lies in its ability to inform researchers about how Antarctica might respond to warming temperatures. The map’s detailed information will help predict how ice sheets flow across the continent as temperatures rise, with implications for the future of the continent.
According to Dr. Hamish Pritchard, a glaciologist at BAS and lead author, “The fundamental information that underpins our computer models is critical in understanding how the ice will flow across the continent.” The new map provides a more accurate picture of Antarctica’s vulnerability to melting due to warmer ocean water at its fringes.
As Dr. Peter Fretwell, mapping specialist and co-author, notes, “Bedmap3 shows us that we have a slightly more vulnerable Antarctica than previously thought.” This discovery highlights the importance of continued research into Antarctica’s hidden world and its potential impact on the future of our planet.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/beneath-ice-antarctica-map-reveals-162300145.html