When the ground rumbles in Antarctica, it may be an icequake—like an earthquake but caused by the movement of ice, not rock. A new study by Penn State researchers found that these seismic events are driven by ocean tides at a major ice stream in West Antarctica.
Seismic monitors captured more than 2,200 icequakes over a five-year period at the Foundation Ice Stream in West Antarctica. Ice streams are fast-flowing regions of ice that act like a drainage system carrying ice from the land to the ocean. The scientists found that the icequakes largely occurred during spring tides, which follow a new or full moon and are characterized by larger tide height range.
They found the large majority of the icequakes at the Foundation Ice Stream occurred around the grounding line—the zone where the ice sheet transitions from sitting on bedrock to floating on the ocean. These floating ice shelves act as buttresses, preventing land ice from flowing into the ocean, so understanding the processes happening in these regions is especially important, the scientists said.
"This study, although focused on just one ice stream in Antarctica, points to the growing importance of icequakes for investigating grounding line processes and understanding the dynamics of glaciers," said Andrew Nyblade, professor of geosciences, co-author of the study and Lucas' adviser at Penn State.seismic events
The icequakes may be caused as stress accumulates between ice and bedrock on the steep hillslope located near the grounding line, the scientists said. As the tide rises, ice is being pushed upward, causing stress to build and then release, or slip. This process is known as"stick-slip."
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lessons from Antarctica about Raising Kids in the Climate CrisisHorror stories from Indigenous writers, a plea for better road ecology, and more books out now
Read more »
Women working in Antarctica say they were left to fend for themselves against sexual harassersMany women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish
Read more »
Women working in Antarctica say they were left to fend for themselves against sexual harassersMany women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish.
Read more »
Takeaways from AP's investigation into sexual harassment and assault at Antarctica's McMurdo StationMany women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish.
Read more »
Women working in Antarctica say they were left to fend for themselves against sexual harassersMany women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish.
Read more »
Takeaways from AP's investigation into sexual harassment and assault at Antarctica's McMurdo StationMany women who work at McMurdo Station, the main United States research base in Antarctica, say the isolated environment and macho culture have allowed sexual harassment and assault to flourish.
Read more »