Antarctica’s ancient landscape lies hidden beneath a thick layer of ice, but a new map reveals its intricate topography. The British Antarctic Survey’s Bedmap3 is the most detailed yet, showcasing mountain ranges, riverbeds, and low plains. This groundbreaking information will help scientists understand the complex interplay between land and ice as Antarctica continues to transform under a changing climate.
According to glaciologist Hamish Pritchard, the new map is crucial for predicting how the ice will flow across the continent as temperatures rise. By studying the shape of the bedrock beneath the ice, researchers can better grasp the dynamics of the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The team’s research uses data from planes, satellites, ships, and dog sled teams to catalog the hidden landscape.
The latest map fills in huge gaps in previous maps, including the location of the thickest ice cover. Bedmap3 reveals that the true position is at 76.052 degrees South, 118.378 degrees East, where an unnamed canyon produces an ice thickness of 4,757 meters. This discovery sheds light on regions around the South Pole, Antarctic Peninsula, and West Antarctica.
The team’s research also provides insight into the total volume of ice in Antarctica, with a total mass of 27.17 million cubic kilometers. If all the ice were to melt, sea levels would rise by 58 meters, consistent with previous surveys but with some revisions. The new map suggests that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is thicker and more vulnerable than previously thought, putting it at greater risk of melting due to warm ocean water incursions.
The British Antarctic Survey’s Bedmap3 is a significant step forward in understanding Antarctica’s complex geology. This new information will help scientists better comprehend the impact of climate change on the continent.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-reveal-what-antarctica-would-look-like-with-no-ice