Deep beneath West Antarctica’s thick ice sheet lies an active volcano that researchers believe may significantly contribute to global ice melting. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is already vulnerable, losing about 150 billion tons of ice annually, exacerbating global sea level rise. New studies indicate that volcanic activity beneath WAIS could initiate feedback loops where melting ice leads to increased volcanic eruptions, further accelerating ice loss. Key mechanisms include decreased crustal pressure from melting ice, formation of gas bubbles in magma, and heat transfer from eruptions that erode ice from below.
Historical patterns show a connection between volcanic activity and ice sheet retreat, suggesting a similar scenario could unfold in Antarctica. Current climate models often overlook these volcanic interactions, risking underestimations of future sea level rise. Researchers emphasize the need for further studies on glacier-volcano feedback mechanisms to improve predictive models as temperatures rise and ice continues to melt.
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