The Antarctic Peninsula is one of the most rapidly warming places in the world. Air temperatures here have increased by 3°C over the last 50 years. This warming has been associated with the strengthening of the winds that encircle Antarctica, which in turn drives changes in oceanic circulation and increased upwelling of circumpolar deep water. This is a relatively salty, warm current (3.5°C), which is now flowing onto the continental shelf and underneath the floating ice shelves of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and Antarctic Peninsula.
These changes in atmospheric air and ocean temperatures and circulation patterns are leading to dramatic, rapid changes in the glaciers of Antarctica.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
