Scientists find Langhovde Glacier in East Antarctica sliding 20% faster
Technology
Scientists just found that the Langhovde Glacier in East Antarctica is sliding along much faster, about 20%, because water from melting snow and ice is seeping down to its base.
This water builds up pressure underneath, making the ice glide more easily, so both floating and grounded parts of the glacier are picking up speed.
Researchers recorded meltwater driven speed spikes
Between December 2021 and February 2022, researchers drilled deep into the glacier to track these changes.
Their instruments caught sudden jumps in ice speed during heavy melt and rainfall, especially after a big rain event in January.
The takeaway? As Antarctica warms up with more extreme weather, surface meltwater could make glaciers move even faster, which could push Antarctic glaciers to respond as the climate warms.