Not all of it, of course. But natural effects from volcanic systems, geothermal heat, and seismic activity are reshaping the continent in ways climate science has largely overlooked, a retired geologist believes.
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Antarctica is commonly perceived as a vast expanse of glacial ice, says James Edward Kamis @ Climate Dispatch.
The typical image is that of a researcher enduring severe winds and challenging conditions.
However, few consider that this frozen, immense continent contains active volcanic systems, rock strata emitting considerable geothermal heat beneath the glaciers, thousands of earthquakes, or subterranean chambers of molten magma influencing its geological uplift.
The impact of geological forces on virtually every facet of the Antarctic continent is often significantly underestimated.
For instance, Mount Erebus stands at 12,441 feet on Antarctica’s western edge (Figure 1 – refer to source). It has remained active since 1972 and has experienced multiple significant eruptions over the past seventy years.
Understanding what forces control the extent, amount, and timing of Antarctica’s glacial and sea melting is important because it impacts many aspects of the climate and climate-related phenomena of our planet.
[Talkshop note – plenty more to read in the linked source].
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Summary
The continent of Antarctica is of greater area than the United States of America. This includes the states of Alaska and Hawaii.
Understanding what forces influence the melting of its glacial and sea ice is of great importance because it helps plan the future consequences of this melting. The impact that geological activity has on the melting has been significantly underestimated.
Full article here.
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