{
    "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>Recent research led by Hokkaido University has revealed a new\nmechanism that accelerates the movement of Antarctic glaciers towards\nthe sea. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the findings\nindicate that surface meltwater plays a key role, a factor previously\nunder-detected in the southern polar region. While ice mass loss in\nAntarctica has largely been attributed to warming ocean temperatures\nmelting the underside of ice shelves, this study demonstrates that\nsurface meltwater from rising air temperatures also actively contributes\nto accelerating glacier flow. The process begins when snow and surface\nice melt, forming ponds of water that then seep through cracks in the\nice via hydrofracturing. This water travels down to the glacier base,\nreaching depths of more than 550 metres, where it acts as a lubricant\nthat reduces friction between the ice and the bedrock. Based on data\nfrom subglacial pressure sensors and cameras, the meltwater can support\nup to 97 percent of the ice layer\u2019s weight. This condition results in a\n10 to 20 percent increase in glacier flow speed towards the ocean during\nperiods of intensive melting or when rain falls in the region. While\nthis phenomenon has been more commonly observed in Greenland, the\nAntarctic findings refute the assumption that the continent\u2019s extreme\ncold prevents such a mechanism. Given that Antarctica holds 90 percent\nof the world\u2019s ice reserves, this acceleration poses a serious threat to\nglobal sea-level rise. A supporting study in the journal Nature Climate\nChange warns that this melting is likely to continue throughout this\ncentury, regardless of whether the Paris Agreement targets are met. The\nimpact will be felt acutely in coastal areas through increased risks of\ntidal flooding and abrasion. Scientists are now urging more intensive\nlong-term monitoring via satellites and subglacial sensors to improve\nthe accuracy of sea-level rise projections, as each glacier responds\ndifferently to global temperature changes.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-cause-of-antarctic-glacier-acceleration-revealed-1784649059",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}