Home / Environment / Antarctic Glacier Speed Linked to Meltwater Surge
Antarctic Glacier Speed Linked to Meltwater Surge
12 Sep
Summary
- Meltwater reaching glacier beds speeds up Antarctic glaciers.
- Glacier acceleration of 10-20% observed after melting events.
- Direct evidence found after drilling into Langhovde Glacier.
Direct evidence has emerged linking surface meltwater to a rapid acceleration of Antarctic glaciers. Researchers drilled into East Antarctica's Langhovde Glacier and found that meltwater reached the glacier bed, increasing pressure and enhancing ice flow.
During periods of intense melting and rain, particularly in late December 2021 and early January 2022 when temperatures briefly rose to around 5°C, the glacier's speed increased by 10-20%. This acceleration was accompanied by an upward movement of the grounded ice, consistent with water pressure partially lifting the ice from its bed.
The study, published in 'Acceleration of an Antarctic outlet glacier driven by surface meltwater input to the base,' utilized hot-water drilling to reach 552 meters deep, installing instruments to monitor subglacial conditions. This research confirmed a connection between surface meltwater and enhanced basal sliding.
These findings from Langhovde Glacier are significant as surface meltwater is common along the Antarctic coast. Although recent melt was below average, the study suggests meltwater-driven acceleration could occur more frequently, especially as Antarctica warms and coastal meltwater production is expected to rise.
