Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Hidden networks of subglacial water beneath Antarctica have been mapped using new models.
Water trapped under ice reduces friction, allowing glaciers to move faster toward the ocean.
The model shows how ice weight and water depth affect glacier speed and stability.
Scientists estimate Antarctic ice melt could raise sea levels by 12 inches by 2100.
The model accurately identified subglacial lakes hidden beneath Antarctica’s vast ice sheet.
Large water channels beneath the ice connect to the ocean, influencing melt rates.
Floating ice shelves slow ice flow, but their melting could accelerate sea level rise.
The study highlights key areas for future field research to refine Antarctic melt predictions.
With Antarctica melting, researchers race to understand how ice loss could reshape coastlines.
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