Written by April Ryder | issued
A hidden reality lies beneath the glaciers of Antarctica. Scientists recently discovered that Antarctica has numerous subglacial volcanoes across the continent, some of which are active.
Given long-term concerns about the melting of Earth’s polar ice sheets, the discovery of several volcanoes beneath the surface of Antarctica raises questions about whether subglacial volcanoes are contributing to harmful polar melting. It’s raising questions.
So, scientists explain, the answer is no. Although it seems very likely that smoldering volcanic layers are contributing to the melting of polar ice sheets, Antarctic volcanoes have been around for millions of years.
The theorized rapid thawing of polar ice sheets is “relatively” new to the region. The presence of volcanoes beneath Antarctic ice certainly doesn’t help the situation, but volcanoes aren’t the cause.
Some people believe that the problem with ice sheets is that water flows beneath the frozen snow and ice. As water temperatures around the world rise, the water flowing beneath the ice caps will theoretically also rise, causing the ice to melt from below. Scientists studying the topic say climate change is the main cause and threat to Antarctic ice sheet melting, as shown by climate models.
When it comes to volcanoes, scientists have extensively investigated the structure beneath Antarctica’s ice and discovered that the largest volcanic region on Earth is hidden two kilometers beneath the ice that covers West Antarctica. There are nearly 100 volcanoes there, and the tallest subglacial volcano spans nearly 4,000 kilometers.
Some scientists say the volcanic region of West Antarctica is denser than the volcanic clusters that line the east coast of Africa. As part of the Pacific Ocean’s infamous Ring of Fire, there are more than 70 volcanoes in eastern Africa, and nearly 100 subglacial volcanoes await the west coast of Antarctica.
Although Antarctica rests on its own (nearly stationary) plate, there is little concern that volcanoes will cause disruption to the landscape. The problem arises when (or if) a volcano erupts. A full-scale eruption of a subglacial volcano can cause significant damage to the structure of the glacial sheets that cover continents.
The good news is that not many people build homes in Antarctica, so cracking ice poses no immediate danger to humans. But the destruction of Antarctic ice could mean problems for the entire planet.
Climate models have predicted for decades that people living in coastal areas will experience rising water levels. Thawing permafrost can also pose problems for a variety of animals. Polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, snowy owls, reindeer, and several other species depend on the frozen ground to survive.
When permafrost rapidly melts, large amounts of methane are released into the atmosphere. Methane is a troubling greenhouse gas that contributes to the effects of climate change. More melting means more methane, and more methane means higher temperatures.
Volcanoes beneath the surface of the Antarctic ice sheet are a discovery of great interest to scientists. Although it may seem like a mind-boggling discovery, volcanoes do not pose an immediate danger to the world.
sauce: NASA