Scientists 'Surprised' by Antarctic Glacier Suddenly Doubling Its Speed
The researchers stress that while the Cadman Glacier alone melting won't have much of an impact on sea level rise, it's symptomatic of the Antarctic ice sheet slowly decaying due to increasing water temperatures. As the Cadman and other glaciers across the peninsula start melting further, this may lead to significant increases in sea level over the next few decades.
"The glacier in this study, Cadman Glacier, is small in Antarctic terms and won't contribute significantly to sea level rise on its own," Wallis said. "However, it's important that we understand how glaciers like this in Antarctica respond to the changing environment so that we can make better projections of future sea level rise."
Nov 28, 2023
By Jess Thomson
"We were surprised to see the speed at which Cadman went from being an apparently stable glacier to one where we see sudden deterioration and significant ice loss," Wallis said in a statement.
The retreat of glaciers in Antarctica increasingly destabilizes the Antarctic Ice Sheet, which is the largest single mass of ice on Earth. Until recently, most research had been focused on glacier melt toward the eastern Antarctic Peninsula due to the breakup of the Larsen ice shelves, as the western peninsula had been more stable. This research shows that the western peninsula glaciers, including the Cadman Glacier, are less stable now than they were before.
"Our work points to the warming ocean causing the glacier to accelerate and retreat. This is because the oceans around Antarctica have been warming and the glacier is in contact with these waters where it flows into the ocean and begins to float," Wallis said. "It was melting from beneath, which we were able to detect using satellite data.
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"Outstanding and pioneering work by other glaciologists and oceanographers has shown that ice shelves and glaciers in Antarctica are being eroded by warm ocean water. This paper is an example of how this can lead to sudden and rapid ice loss. There are other glaciers in the same region which might behave in a similar way in the future."
By Jess Thomson
NEWSWEEK
Science Reporter
A huge Antarctic glacier has suddenly started melting much faster than before after years of little change thanks to warming oceans, researchers have found.
The Cadman Glacier, situated on the Antarctic Peninsula, increased the speed of its retreat by around 94 percent between 2018 and 2019 after nearly 50 years of relatively little change, showing how vulnerable the region is to climate change, a new paper in the journal Nature Communications reveals.
The researchers used satellite observations and oceanographic measurements to look into how the Cadman Glacier changed between 1991 and 2022, finding that the speed at which the glacier was melting was accelerating, increasing by a rate of around 0.5 gigatons (around 200 billion pounds) per year. Between November 2018 and December 2019, the Cadman Glacier's calving front crept back by 5 miles.
Science Reporter
A huge Antarctic glacier has suddenly started melting much faster than before after years of little change thanks to warming oceans, researchers have found.
The Cadman Glacier, situated on the Antarctic Peninsula, increased the speed of its retreat by around 94 percent between 2018 and 2019 after nearly 50 years of relatively little change, showing how vulnerable the region is to climate change, a new paper in the journal Nature Communications reveals.
The researchers used satellite observations and oceanographic measurements to look into how the Cadman Glacier changed between 1991 and 2022, finding that the speed at which the glacier was melting was accelerating, increasing by a rate of around 0.5 gigatons (around 200 billion pounds) per year. Between November 2018 and December 2019, the Cadman Glacier's calving front crept back by 5 miles.
The mountainous and glaciated coastline of the Antarctic Peninsula. Researchers have found that the Cadman Glacier is melting at an accelerated pace thanks to warming oceans.
ANNA HOGG
"Cadman Glacier is on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the mountainous spine that points out from the continent toward South America. Since the 1970s, when we started having regular satellite images, the glacier appeared stable with its terminus (where it meets the sea) not changing position significantly," Benjamin Wallis, a glacier and climate researcher at the University of Leeds and a co-author of the paper, told Newsweek.
"But in 2018 the glacier started accelerating its flow and retreating, shrinking in length by 8 kilometers (5 miles) between 2018 and 2021. Since 2021, the glacier has not shown any signs of readvancing."
The researchers also found that the retreat of the glacier occurred at the same time as a positive temperature anomaly in the upper ocean, with a 1,300-foot deep channel allowing warm water to reach the Cadman Glacier. Having nearly doubled in its speed of retreat, 2.16 billion tons of ice are now draining from the Cadman Glacier into the ocean each year.
"Cadman Glacier is on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, the mountainous spine that points out from the continent toward South America. Since the 1970s, when we started having regular satellite images, the glacier appeared stable with its terminus (where it meets the sea) not changing position significantly," Benjamin Wallis, a glacier and climate researcher at the University of Leeds and a co-author of the paper, told Newsweek.
"But in 2018 the glacier started accelerating its flow and retreating, shrinking in length by 8 kilometers (5 miles) between 2018 and 2021. Since 2021, the glacier has not shown any signs of readvancing."
The researchers also found that the retreat of the glacier occurred at the same time as a positive temperature anomaly in the upper ocean, with a 1,300-foot deep channel allowing warm water to reach the Cadman Glacier. Having nearly doubled in its speed of retreat, 2.16 billion tons of ice are now draining from the Cadman Glacier into the ocean each year.
"We were surprised to see the speed at which Cadman went from being an apparently stable glacier to one where we see sudden deterioration and significant ice loss," Wallis said in a statement.
The retreat of glaciers in Antarctica increasingly destabilizes the Antarctic Ice Sheet, which is the largest single mass of ice on Earth. Until recently, most research had been focused on glacier melt toward the eastern Antarctic Peninsula due to the breakup of the Larsen ice shelves, as the western peninsula had been more stable. This research shows that the western peninsula glaciers, including the Cadman Glacier, are less stable now than they were before.
"Our work points to the warming ocean causing the glacier to accelerate and retreat. This is because the oceans around Antarctica have been warming and the glacier is in contact with these waters where it flows into the ocean and begins to float," Wallis said. "It was melting from beneath, which we were able to detect using satellite data.
Sign up for Newsweek’s daily headlines
"Outstanding and pioneering work by other glaciologists and oceanographers has shown that ice shelves and glaciers in Antarctica are being eroded by warm ocean water. This paper is an example of how this can lead to sudden and rapid ice loss. There are other glaciers in the same region which might behave in a similar way in the future."
A map showing the location of the Cadman Glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula. A study has found that ocean warming caused the glacier to rapidly retreat between 2018–2019, after years of stability.Created with Datawrapper
The researchers stress that while the Cadman Glacier alone melting won't have much of an impact on sea level rise, it's symptomatic of the Antarctic ice sheet slowly decaying due to increasing water temperatures. As the Cadman and other glaciers across the peninsula start melting further, this may lead to significant increases in sea level over the next few decades.
"The glacier in this study, Cadman Glacier, is small in Antarctic terms and won't contribute significantly to sea level rise on its own," Wallis said. "However, it's important that we understand how glaciers like this in Antarctica respond to the changing environment so that we can make better projections of future sea level rise."
A marine-terminating glacier in Antarctica.
ANNA HOGG
Michael Meredith, a paper co-author and oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, agreed: "We have known for some time that the ocean around Antarctica is heating up rapidly, and that this poses a significant threat to glaciers and the ice sheet, with consequences for sea level rise globally," he said in the statement.
"What this new research shows is that apparently stable glaciers can switch very rapidly, becoming unstable almost without warning, and then thinning and retreating very strongly. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive ocean observing network around Antarctica, especially in regions close to glaciers that are especially hard to make measurements."
Michael Meredith, a paper co-author and oceanographer at the British Antarctic Survey, agreed: "We have known for some time that the ocean around Antarctica is heating up rapidly, and that this poses a significant threat to glaciers and the ice sheet, with consequences for sea level rise globally," he said in the statement.
"What this new research shows is that apparently stable glaciers can switch very rapidly, becoming unstable almost without warning, and then thinning and retreating very strongly. This emphasizes the need for a comprehensive ocean observing network around Antarctica, especially in regions close to glaciers that are especially hard to make measurements."
Stepping out onto land in Antarctica, I marveled at the grayscale panorama. It looked like a blend of light sky and dark sea that inspired my first piece of art.
Grisel González
November 28, 2023
SOFIA, Bulgaria ꟷ Eighteen years ago, I received an invitation to join the Argentine Antarctic Cultural Project, a remarkable event commemorating the 100th anniversary of Argentina’s presence in Antarctica. Managed by the powerhouse behind Argentina’s Antarctic missions, The National Antarctic Directorate (DNA), I embarked on a 40-day odyssey across the region. Immersing myself in the pristine white expanse and the breathtaking visual landscape, an unparalleled creativity ignited within me. Antarctica quickly became the nucleus of my artistic pursuits, culminating in my art collection and book Al Sur del Sur, mi Antártida.
This year I unveiled a retrospective exhibition at St. Kliment Ohridski at Sofia University. The collection encapsulated the depth of my remarkable journey through Antarctica and celebrated the 30-year scientific alliance between Argentina and Bulgaria.
Read more arts & culture stories at Orato World Media
Committing to an expedition in Antarctica: simple tasks required complex routines
I approached my trip to Antarctica with an open mind, eagerly anticipating surprises along the way. Those surprises began immediately. When I arrived on the dock to board our ship, the sight of the ARA Almirante Irízar icebreaker stunned me. [An icebreaker is a ship or boat designed to navigate through ice-covered waters and create safe waterways for other boats and ships.] It resembled a bustling city on ice.
After several days of travel on the ship, at 5:00 a.m., we arrived at the Esperanza base where we would take refuge for the following weeks. Stepping out onto land in Antarctica, I marveled at the grayscale panorama. It looked like a blend of light sky and dark sea that inspired my first piece of art.
Settling into the base, the lack of accommodation surprised me. Between another group and ours, the base offered too few beds so we took over the gym and spread out our sleeping bags. I sought solace in a heated area but the warmth soon dissipated. Despite bundling up and wearing a hat, the freezing temperatures penetrated everything. I had to learn to adapt to this shift in climate.
I soon discovered that simple tasks like using the bathroom demanded complex routines. At night, I would emerge from my sleeping bag, dress in my warm clothes, trek to the school’s bathroom, return, undress, and resettle into bed.
I faced fear and risk but the landscape informed my art as I captured stunning moments
Exploring Antarctica presented clear risks. I made sure only to venture out in groups and never lose sight of the base. Nevertheless, every landscape before me delivered a thrill. Antarctica’s sheer beauty exceeded all my expectations.
Sometimes, the glaciologists gathering samples invited me to join their expeditions. Scaling the glacier’s foothills, we donned spiked crampons to traverse the icy terrain. Walking alongside the group leader, I learned the importance of proceeding in a single line to prevent potential accidents. The level of danger during these trips dawned on me, but it felt like the beginning of an adventure.
Dangerous situations loomed, like a rubber boat failing in the middle of the sea, and I felt a growing fear. Despite my distress, I felt a driving force to keep going. Antarctica’s barren landscapes, snow-capped mountains, and coastal moss delighted me. I absorbed all the information I learned and aimed to capture moments like the feeling of the biting cold and observing wildlife. I embraced the unique lighting and sought to create figurative art – that in which the subject matter is recognizable from the real world.
Soon, I discovered another inspiration: the constant and unexpected rain. In Antarctica, heat transformed snow into rain, revealing the impact of climate change. Witnessing increased moisture which fostered moss growth drove me to mix the color green into my work, symbolizing the changing landscape.
Bringing experiences from Antartica to a wider audience around the world
One day at what we called the seventh point [seven kilometers from base], scientists from the University of La Plata studied minerals, fauna like seals and penguins, and food sources. I began to approach the group as they collected samples from an elephant seal, when suddenly an approaching sea elephant startled us.
This experience inspired me. I wanted to begin to raise awareness about the importance of harmonizing our work with nature, and I did this by interjecting emotional intelligence into my art. Depicting the emotional impact that shifts in climate have on both landscapes and life forms became my primary focus.
Now, nearly two decades later, my works are being recognized for their impact. In a recent visit to Buenos Aires, the Head of Culture from the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Gergana Lapteva, unexpectedly invited me present a retrospective exhibition in Bulgaria. The exhibition commemorated a 30-year alliance between Argentina and Bulgaria and would feature a collection of 30 pieces.
We established a gallery connection and finalized the project with a sales agreement, leaving four pieces there on display. The palpable delight of those who attended and the incredible reception to my work felt intensely gratifying. During the visit, the Argentina ambassador in Bulgaria graciously hosted us, sparking a conversation about translating my book Al Sur del Sur, mi Antártida into Bulgarian.
Further discussions with the Argentina embassy in Paris, facilitated by the Foreign Ministry, revealed an eagerness to create an exhibition there next year, and to translate the book into French. As I experience this new joy – rooted in my experiences in Antarctica – I have a new goal: to replicate my expedition, this time at the North Pole, and to unite the two polar extremes into a singular artistic endeavor.
All photos courtesy of Alberto Morales.
JOURNALIST’S NOTES
INTERVIEW SUBJECT
Alberto Morales, an Argentinean artist, started exhibiting in Buenos Aires in 1969 and later at the Lirolay Gallery in 1976 and 1977. In 2005, an invitation from the National Antarctic Directorate sparked his transformative journey across Antarctica. Recently, he presented “Al Sur del Sur, mi Antártida” and curated a retrospective exhibition at Sofia University from September 12 to 22, showcasing his work influenced by Antarctica from 2005 to 2023.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Alberto Morales, an Argentinean artist, established his career in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His debut exhibition as a student occurred in 1969, followed by individual showcases at the Lirolay Gallery in 1976 and 1977. Invited by the National Antarctic Directorate in 2005 to journey across Antarctica for 40 days, this experience profoundly influenced his artistic direction. Recently, Morales presented his book “Al Sur del Sur, mi Antártida” and curated a retrospective exhibition titled “Al Sur del Sur, Antártida Argentina,” spanning his work from 2005 to 2023. The exhibition, hosted at Sofia University’s central hall from September 12 to 22, celebrated Morales’ artistic journey shaped by Antarctica.
This year I unveiled a retrospective exhibition at St. Kliment Ohridski at Sofia University. The collection encapsulated the depth of my remarkable journey through Antarctica and celebrated the 30-year scientific alliance between Argentina and Bulgaria.
Read more arts & culture stories at Orato World Media
Committing to an expedition in Antarctica: simple tasks required complex routines
I approached my trip to Antarctica with an open mind, eagerly anticipating surprises along the way. Those surprises began immediately. When I arrived on the dock to board our ship, the sight of the ARA Almirante Irízar icebreaker stunned me. [An icebreaker is a ship or boat designed to navigate through ice-covered waters and create safe waterways for other boats and ships.] It resembled a bustling city on ice.
After several days of travel on the ship, at 5:00 a.m., we arrived at the Esperanza base where we would take refuge for the following weeks. Stepping out onto land in Antarctica, I marveled at the grayscale panorama. It looked like a blend of light sky and dark sea that inspired my first piece of art.
Settling into the base, the lack of accommodation surprised me. Between another group and ours, the base offered too few beds so we took over the gym and spread out our sleeping bags. I sought solace in a heated area but the warmth soon dissipated. Despite bundling up and wearing a hat, the freezing temperatures penetrated everything. I had to learn to adapt to this shift in climate.
I soon discovered that simple tasks like using the bathroom demanded complex routines. At night, I would emerge from my sleeping bag, dress in my warm clothes, trek to the school’s bathroom, return, undress, and resettle into bed.
I faced fear and risk but the landscape informed my art as I captured stunning moments
Exploring Antarctica presented clear risks. I made sure only to venture out in groups and never lose sight of the base. Nevertheless, every landscape before me delivered a thrill. Antarctica’s sheer beauty exceeded all my expectations.
Sometimes, the glaciologists gathering samples invited me to join their expeditions. Scaling the glacier’s foothills, we donned spiked crampons to traverse the icy terrain. Walking alongside the group leader, I learned the importance of proceeding in a single line to prevent potential accidents. The level of danger during these trips dawned on me, but it felt like the beginning of an adventure.
Dangerous situations loomed, like a rubber boat failing in the middle of the sea, and I felt a growing fear. Despite my distress, I felt a driving force to keep going. Antarctica’s barren landscapes, snow-capped mountains, and coastal moss delighted me. I absorbed all the information I learned and aimed to capture moments like the feeling of the biting cold and observing wildlife. I embraced the unique lighting and sought to create figurative art – that in which the subject matter is recognizable from the real world.
Soon, I discovered another inspiration: the constant and unexpected rain. In Antarctica, heat transformed snow into rain, revealing the impact of climate change. Witnessing increased moisture which fostered moss growth drove me to mix the color green into my work, symbolizing the changing landscape.
Bringing experiences from Antartica to a wider audience around the world
One day at what we called the seventh point [seven kilometers from base], scientists from the University of La Plata studied minerals, fauna like seals and penguins, and food sources. I began to approach the group as they collected samples from an elephant seal, when suddenly an approaching sea elephant startled us.
This experience inspired me. I wanted to begin to raise awareness about the importance of harmonizing our work with nature, and I did this by interjecting emotional intelligence into my art. Depicting the emotional impact that shifts in climate have on both landscapes and life forms became my primary focus.
Now, nearly two decades later, my works are being recognized for their impact. In a recent visit to Buenos Aires, the Head of Culture from the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Gergana Lapteva, unexpectedly invited me present a retrospective exhibition in Bulgaria. The exhibition commemorated a 30-year alliance between Argentina and Bulgaria and would feature a collection of 30 pieces.
We established a gallery connection and finalized the project with a sales agreement, leaving four pieces there on display. The palpable delight of those who attended and the incredible reception to my work felt intensely gratifying. During the visit, the Argentina ambassador in Bulgaria graciously hosted us, sparking a conversation about translating my book Al Sur del Sur, mi Antártida into Bulgarian.
Further discussions with the Argentina embassy in Paris, facilitated by the Foreign Ministry, revealed an eagerness to create an exhibition there next year, and to translate the book into French. As I experience this new joy – rooted in my experiences in Antarctica – I have a new goal: to replicate my expedition, this time at the North Pole, and to unite the two polar extremes into a singular artistic endeavor.
All photos courtesy of Alberto Morales.
JOURNALIST’S NOTES
INTERVIEW SUBJECT
Alberto Morales, an Argentinean artist, started exhibiting in Buenos Aires in 1969 and later at the Lirolay Gallery in 1976 and 1977. In 2005, an invitation from the National Antarctic Directorate sparked his transformative journey across Antarctica. Recently, he presented “Al Sur del Sur, mi Antártida” and curated a retrospective exhibition at Sofia University from September 12 to 22, showcasing his work influenced by Antarctica from 2005 to 2023.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Alberto Morales, an Argentinean artist, established his career in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His debut exhibition as a student occurred in 1969, followed by individual showcases at the Lirolay Gallery in 1976 and 1977. Invited by the National Antarctic Directorate in 2005 to journey across Antarctica for 40 days, this experience profoundly influenced his artistic direction. Recently, Morales presented his book “Al Sur del Sur, mi Antártida” and curated a retrospective exhibition titled “Al Sur del Sur, Antártida Argentina,” spanning his work from 2005 to 2023. The exhibition, hosted at Sofia University’s central hall from September 12 to 22, celebrated Morales’ artistic journey shaped by Antarctica.
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