The most extreme heatwave ever recorded globally struck East Antarctica in March 2022, sending surface temperatures soaring 38.5°C hotter than they should be.Had it happened in summer, it would have begun melting the surface of the ice sheets, which scientists said they have never seen before.
As sea ice, which floats on the ocean surface, melts, it stops reflecting heat and light from the sun and reveals more of the dark sea surface, which absorbs heat.Read more about the Antarctic:Antarctic sea ice cover is at a record low in 2023. Source: National Snow and Ice Data CenterSea ice cover at the start of 2023, in Antarctic summer, was at"record low already, but then it has dropped really a long way from anything that we've previously expected".
The melt"impacts populations that live around coastlines all around the world" via coastal flooding erosion and storm surges, she said.Images from 2002 show ponds forming on the surface of the Larsen B ice shelf followed by its rapid collapse If these rates continue, the ice sheets are expected to raise sea levels by a further 17cm and expose an additional 16 million people to annual coastal flooding by the end of the century.Because of Antarctica's harsh environment and remote location, there is less data available to unequivocally link events such as these with human-induced climate change.
Energy Energy Latest News, Energy Energy Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Antarctica’s ‘staggering’ exposure to climate change exacerbates global threat\n\t\t\tKeep abreast of significant corporate, financial and political developments around the world.\n\t\t\tStay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert\n\t\t\tcommentary and analysis you can trust.\n\t\t
Source: FT - 🏆 113. / 51 Read more »
Source: SkyNews - 🏆 35. / 67 Read more »
Source: NECN - 🏆 20. / 71 Read more »