Rocks record Totten Glacier’s rapid retreat history

The following article by Jonathan Amos appears on the BBC.com website on May 19, 2016:

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Warm ocean water is getting under the floating front of Totten to melt it. Photo: Esmee Van Wijk/AAD

Unchecked climate change could put Antarctica’s huge Totten Glacier into an unstable configuration over the coming centuries, a study has warned.

If that happens, the ice loss could push up global oceans by 2m, or more.

The claim is based on an assessment of the rocks underlying the ice stream.

Scientists tell the journal Nature that should the front of the glacier retreat about 150km from its current position, it will then enter a runaway reversal that takes it 200-250km further inland. Continue reading “Rocks record Totten Glacier’s rapid retreat history”