Scubareefing

Dive into the Seas and Oceans

A collection of inspiring news from SCUBA Diving Community

Our aim is to provide a compelling narrative and case for change to inspire people all over the world.

In News

Add Comment

It's snowing more in Antarctica 'because of global warming'

Antarctica has seen a "significant" change in ice mass following increased snowfall during the 20th century which has mitigated rising sea levels, researchers say.

NASA and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) scientists said analysis of 53 ice cores from across the continent showed that the snowfall had stopped seas rising by 10mm.

However, they said the additional ice mass gained from the snowfall only makes up for about a third of Antarctica's overall ice loss.

BAS ice core scientist Dr Liz Thomas: "Sea-level rise is an urgent issue affecting society and there is still uncertainty about what contribution comes from Antarctica.

"Our new results show a significant change in the surface mass balance [from snowfall] during the 20th century.

"From the ice cores we know that the current rate of change in snowfall is unusual in the context of the past 200 years."

However, researchers said the increases in snowfall did not contradict observations of mass ice loss in western Antarctica, where they contribute to about 14% of sea-level rise around the world.

From polar bears to elephants and from frogs to wombats, across the world climate change is threatening the existence of several species of terrestrial and marine animals. These creatures are being hit hard by disappearing habitats, warming oceans, droughts and wildfires. Check out some of these endangered animals.

All data taken from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and correct as of April 13, 2018.

Lead author Dr Brooke Medley, from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said: "Our findings don't mean that Antarctica is growing: it's still losing mass, even with the extra snowfall.

"What it means, however, is that without these gains, we would have experienced even more sea-level rise in the 20th century."

The team behind the findings published in the Nature Climate Change journal found the increased snowfall and its distribution pattern was consistent with a warming atmosphere, which can hold more moisture.

Top Sentiments

Contact us