Scientists have finally unlocked the mystery behind a colossal hole in the Antarctic ice, located in the remote Weddell Sea. After years of speculation and analysis, new research sheds light on this natural phenomenon that has baffled the scientific community.
A meteorological phenomenon drills large holes in the ice in the Antarctic, in the Weddell Sea, which is covered by one of the largest frozen surfaces on Earth.
A large hole the size of Switzerland has opened in the middle. It seems that the reason for this mystery that lasted half a century and that had baffled scientists, he revealed in a publication the specialized magazine Science Alert.
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Winter ice forming over the Antarctic Weddell Sea near a submerged peak called Maud Risesometimes a huge hole opens up, revealing the dark, cold waters below.
First discovered in 1974, it doesn’t appear every year, leading scientists to wonder about the specific conditions necessary for it to occur.
In the winter ice that forms over the Antarctic Weddell Sea, near a submerged peak called Maud Rise, sometimes a large hole opens up, revealing the dark, cold waters below. First discovered in 1974, it doesn’t appear every year, leading experts to consider the specific conditions necessary for it to occur.
In the study, published by ScienceAdvances, scientists found that early melting of sea ice occurred during 2017 due to increased heat and salt.
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Using satellite data, autonomous floats, and computer models of the ocean, researchers were able to better understand how this combination of factors—wind, the unique geography of the seafloor, and ocean currents—influenced the formation of this rare opening.
“Our results illustrate how highly localized interactions between wind, ocean flow and topography can trigger polynya formation in the open Southern Ocean,” the study notes.
With agency summary
