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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. West Antarctica glaciers
2. Submarine curtain failure
Recent research has raised the idea of constructing artificial structures like submarine curtains or walls to halt the warming ocean from reaching rapidly melting glaciers in West Antarctica. The potential cost of such a large-scale operation is estimated to be around US$50 billion–100 billion to build and an additional US$1 billion annually for maintenance. A new study explores whether these interventions are worthwhile in preventing sea-level rise from the Amundsen Sea Embayment. The vulnerable sector of the ice sheet is at risk due to warm ocean currents causing rapid ice thinning and retreat. Despite efforts to block warm water, ongoing ice loss and sea-level rise are projected for the future, emphasizing the importance of immediate emissions reductions.
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1. Ineffectiveness of artificial glacier barriers in West Antarctica
2. Limitations of artificial submarine curtains for glacier protection in West Antarctica
Recent proposals from researchers have suggested the creation of artificial structures such as submarine curtains or walls to halt the warming ocean from reaching the rapidly melting glaciers in West Antarctica. These interventions could potentially save trillions of dollars in avoided coastal impacts.
The construction of such structures in one of the most remote and inaccessible places on Earth is estimated to cost between US$50 billion–100 billion to build and an additional US$1 billion annually for maintenance. However, there are concerns about the potential negative impacts on the rest of the ice sheet and marine life in the Southern Ocean. A new study delves into the feasibility and implications of these ambitious projects.
Exploring the Challenges in West Antarctica
West Antarctica holds the key to the future of the Antarctic ice sheet, which is the greatest uncertainty in projections of global sea-level rise over the next century. Over the past 25 years, the ice sheet has contributed 7.6mm to global sea-level rise, with the rate of mass loss accelerating. The region is particularly vulnerable to warm ocean currents that lead to the melting and retreat of glaciers.
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The Amundsen Sea Embayment, the sector of West Antarctica experiencing the most significant ice loss, is at particular risk due to glaciers resting on bedrock that lies up to two kilometres below sea level. The bedrock slopes inland towards the continent’s center, exposing thicker ice to the ocean as the ice retreats, leading to further melting, thinning, and retreat.
The Implications of Melting Ice
Recent research indicates that the retreat of glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment may be irreversible, with extensive thinning and retreat observed through satellite observations. Scientists fear that this sector may have already crossed a threshold for irreversible retreat, with significant implications for global sea-level rise.
If the main outlet glaciers in this area collapse, it could result in over a meter of sea-level rise. The complete loss of the West Antarctic ice sheet would raise global sea levels by more than three meters, impacting major cities worldwide and displacing millions of people.
Addressing Future Sea-Level Rise
A state-of-the-art computer model was used to simulate how the glaciers in the Amundsen Sea Embayment would respond to various scenarios involving the blocking of warm water to stabilize or reduce ice loss rates. Nearly 200 different scenarios were explored to understand the potential outcomes of cooling the ocean to mitigate ice loss.
While reducing glacier melt rates can slow down the process of ice loss and reduce the contribution to sea-level rise, it does not completely halt the rise or allow the ice sheet to regrow to replace lost mass. The research suggests that significant cooling and nearly two centuries of increased snowfall would be required to offset or reverse the sea-level contribution.
The Future of West Antarctica
Despite the potential success of geoengineering proposals, ongoing ice loss and global sea-level rise are expected to continue for decades or even centuries. The rate of this progression will heavily rely on the emissions reductions implemented in the present day.
These findings paint a challenging picture for the future of West Antarctica, highlighting the urgent need for immediate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on this vulnerable region.
