Scientists from the University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey have used ice core records to draw new conclusions about how Antarctica was affected by increased global temperatures over 100,000 years ago.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and British Antarctic Survey have used ice core records to draw new conclusions about how Antarctica was affected by increased global temperatures over 100,000 years ago. The new paper, published today in the journal Nature, shows that large parts of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were lost, contributing to significant sea level rise. However, the data also suggests that the nearby Ronne Ice Shelf – which climate models project could be lost under future warming scenarios – survived this period of global heating.
Greenhouse gas emissions are warming the Earth at an unprecedented speed and scale. While anthropogenic warming has no direct historical parallel, warm episodes in Earth’s history can offer clues to the future.
A team of ice core scientists, led by Eric Wolff from Cambridge University, wanted to find out what happened to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet during the Last Interglacial, when the polar regions were about 3°C warmer than present and sea levels were significantly higher. This period of Earth’s history is considered comparable to conditions we might see within decades.
Read More: British Antarctic Survey
Inside the drilling tent at Skytrain Ice Rise, a scientist prepares the drill for its next drop into the borehole. Credit: University of Cambridge / British Antarctic Survey.
