Massive 250-Meter Ice Channels Discovered Beneath Floating Ice Shelf in Antarctica

A team of scientists has uncovered massive ice channels as tall as the Eiffel Tower beneath a floating ice shelf in Antarctica.

Scientists have discovered 250 meter high giant ice channels beneath a floating ice shelf in Antarctica that stretch hundreds of kilometers. According to the scientists, these channels could influence the stability of the ice sheets in the region. They might also provide clues to how the ice will respond to the environmental and climatic changes in the coming years.

Scientists from the University of Exeter, University of Bristol, Newcastle University, University of York, University of Edinburgh and the British Antarctic Survey discovered these water channels.

Dr Anne Le Brocq from the University of Exeter along with colleagues discovered the presence of the meltwater channels in Filchnner-Ronne Ice Shelf in West Antarctica using satellite images as well as airborne radar measurements.

The river channels are lined up in areas where the flow of water was same under the ice sheets as well as where land and sea meet, reports the Telegraph.

The flowing river channels can be seen on the surface of the ice shelf as well as beneath the ice shelf, because depending on its thickness, the ice floats at varied heights.

The match up revealed that the water flow beneath the ice sheet triggered the formation of channels under the floating ice shelf.  Water from the surface seeps down to the ocean bed and  when the cold water comes in contact with the warm ocean water, it shoots up  and eventually melts the massive channels below the ice shelf.

Prior to this, it was believed that the water flow was just a thin layer below the ice sheets, but this study proves that the flow is more like a  river. The manner in which this water beneath the ice sheet flows also influences the speed of the  ice float.

"If we are to understand the behaviour of the ice sheet, and its contribution to changes in sea level, we need to fully understand the role of water at the base of the ice sheet. The information gained from these newly discovered channels will enable us to understand more fully how the water system works and how the ice sheet will behave in the future, " said Dr. Le Brocq.

The scientists published in their finding in the journal Nature Geoscience.