{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1873056,
        "msgid": "new-cause-of-antarctic-glacier-acceleration-revealed-1784649059",
        "date": "2026-07-21 22:03:00",
        "title": "New Cause of Antarctic Glacier Acceleration Revealed",
        "author": "Gana Buana",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Environment",
        "summary": "A new study led by Hokkaido University has uncovered a mechanism accelerating Antarctic glacier movement, identifying surface meltwater as a key factor. The research shows that meltwater seeps through cracks, lubricating the glacier base and increasing flow speed by 10 to 20 percent. Scientists warn this process, previously observed mainly in Greenland, poses a serious threat to global sea-level rise regardless of Paris Agreement targets.",
        "content": "<p>New research led by Hokkaido University has revealed a novel\nmechanism accelerating the movement of Antarctic glaciers towards the\nsea. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, show\nthat surface meltwater is a key factor that has long gone undetected in\nthe southern polar region.<\/p>\n<p>Until now, the loss of Antarctic ice mass has been largely attributed\nto warming ocean temperatures melting the underside of ice shelves\n(floating ice layers). However, this study proves that surface meltwater\ncaused by rising air temperatures also plays an active role in\naccelerating glacier flow.<\/p>\n<p>The process begins when snow and ice on the surface melt to form\nponds of water, which then seep through cracks in the ice via a process\nknown as hydrofracturing. The water flows down until it reaches the\nglacier bed more than 550 metres deep, acting as a lubricant that\nreduces friction between the ice and the underlying rock.<\/p>\n<p>Based on data from pressure sensors and subglacial cameras, the\nmeltwater can support up to 97 per cent of the weight of the ice layer.\nThis causes the speed of glacier flow towards the sea to increase by\naround 10 to 20 per cent during periods of intense melting or when\nrainfall occurs in the region.<\/p>\n<p>This phenomenon has previously been observed more often in Greenland.\nThe Antarctic findings disprove the assumption that the extreme cold of\nthe southern pole could prevent a similar mechanism. Given that\nAntarctica holds 90 per cent of the world\u2019s ice reserves, this\nacceleration of ice flow poses a serious threat of global sea-level\nrise.<\/p>\n<p>A supporting study in the journal Nature Climate Change warns that\nthis melting is highly likely to continue throughout this century,\nregardless of whether the Paris Agreement targets are met. The impact\nwill be strongly felt in coastal regions in the form of increased risks\nof coastal flooding and erosion.<\/p>\n<p>Scientists are now calling for more intensive long-term monitoring\nvia satellites and subglacial sensors. This step is needed to improve\nthe accuracy of sea-level rise projections, given that each glacier\nresponds differently to changes in global temperatures. (Nature,\nScienceDaily, and Phys.org\/Z-10)<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-cause-of-antarctic-glacier-acceleration-revealed-1784649059",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}