Antarctica gained a record 695 billion tons of ice. Scientists found the surprising reason
A study published in Nature reveals that unusual warming in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans triggered atmospheric waves that increased snowfall in East Antarctica. This phenomenon led to a temporary net gain of 695 billion tons of ice, briefly offsetting the continent's long-term mass loss.
Why it matters
Understanding these atmospheric drivers is crucial for improving the accuracy of global sea-level rise projections.
A persistent patch of unusually warm tropical ocean helped intensify snowfall over East Antarctica, contributing to a temporary net ice sheet mass gain of about 695 billion tons, according to a new study published in Nature on August 19.
Researchers found that sustained warming in the tropical warm pool during 2021-23 set off a chain of atmospheric changes that ultimately affected weather thousands of miles away in Antarctica. The warming generated a Rossby wave train that traveled toward the continent, helped establish a north-south circulation pattern over East Antarctica, altered the movement of moisture, and increased regional snowfall. Together, these changes temporarily slowed the Antarctic Ice Sheet's overall loss of mass.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in