Scientists have recently discovered 85 lakes hidden under ice on the Antarctica (Antarctica), thus adding a new chapter to our understanding of this mysterious iceberg.
This important disclosure, which was done by analyzing satellite data over a full decade, is not limited to being a scientific achievement, but also carries deep indications about the future of our planet.
What distinguishes these newly discovered lakes is its “active” nature, as it does not remain the same, but rather has repeated courses of fullness and discharge, which leads to a continuous change in its size and shape over the months and years. This unexpected dynamic causes thick ice layers control, revealing a more complex ice hydrological system than we imagined.
This discovery leads us to important questions about how these under ice changes affect the stability of ice sheets over them. And when these lakes are filled or emptied, it works like a natural lubrication system under the ice, as it facilitates the slide of ice blocks over the basic rocks, which may accelerate the movement of ice towards the ocean, and thus affects the levels of the sea surface globally.
The scientific challenge that scientists faced was great, as monitoring these operations under thousands of meters of ice is very difficult. Before this study, scientists had followed 36 full routes to full and empty lakes under the iceberg around the world, and this research added 12 new courses to this record, which represents important progress in our ability to understand this phenomenon.
Scientists were able to achieve this detection thanks to the European Space Agency’s Cryosat-2 satellite, and equipped with advanced radar technology capable of monitoring slight changes in the height of the ice surface, even those resulting from the movement of water below.
The true importance of these discoveries is to overcome them merely an increase in the number of lakes under the iceberg, as it represents a decisive qualitative addition to climate change forms. The current forms used to estimate the contribution of ice sheets to sea level rise lacks a vital factor represented by the subcutaneous water dynamics. With this new data about lake sites, changing their sizes, emptying and full courses, future expectations will become more reliable and accurate, which enables scientists to draw a clearer picture of the future of the high level of the seas.
On the other hand, there are lakes under stable icebergs, such as the famous Lake Vostuk, which contain huge amounts of water but do not pass through these courses of fullness and unloading. This difference raises questions about the factors that determine the stability of these under ice water systems.
This discovery reminds us that our understanding of the Antarctica is still in its infancy, and that every layer of ice is hidden under it a complex world that directly affects the future of our climate.
