Research
Can more snow save Antarctica’s ice? A new study weighs the odds
Earth.com · By Sanjana Gajbhiye ·
The Brief
- Warmer air can bring more snowfall to Antarctica, which adds ice to the continent.
- Warmer seawater speeds ice loss along the continent's edges.
- A new study suggests Antarctica is very likely to lose ice overall by 2100.
Why it matters
Antarctic ice loss is a major driver of projected sea-level rise, so the balance between added snow and melting at the edges affects coastal planning estimates.
Who’s affected
- climate scientists
- sea-level researchers
- #antarctica
- #ice loss
- #snowfall
- #sea level
- #climate projections
Predicting how much ice Antarctica will lose means weighing two competing effects. Warmer air can bring more snow, adding ice to the continent, while warmer seawater speeds ice loss along its edges. A new study suggests Antarctica is very likely to lose ice overall by 2100, even…