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Scientists uncover Antarctica's hidden landscape beneath ice sheet for first time
(Cross-post from LBN: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143599777 )https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/new-antarctic-subglacial-map-ice-landscape-b2901990.html
Scientists have unveiled the most comprehensive map yet of the hidden landscape beneath Antarctica's colossal ice sheet, revealing a vibrant topography of mountains, canyons, valleys, and plains, alongside tens of thousands of previously undetected hills and smaller formations.
This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Science, utilised cutting-edge high-resolution satellite observations and a technique known as ice-flow perturbation analysis. This method infers subglacial terrain and conditions from surface features, enabling the mapping of the entire continent, including previously unexplored regions.
A more precise understanding of this subglacial bedrock is vital for predicting the climate-driven retreat of Antarctica's ice sheet. Earlier studies have shown that rugged terrain, such as jagged hillsides and mountain peaks, can impede this retreat.
-snip-
Antarctica is about 40% larger than Europe, 50% larger than the United States and roughly half the area of Africa.
-snip-
This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Science, utilised cutting-edge high-resolution satellite observations and a technique known as ice-flow perturbation analysis. This method infers subglacial terrain and conditions from surface features, enabling the mapping of the entire continent, including previously unexplored regions.
A more precise understanding of this subglacial bedrock is vital for predicting the climate-driven retreat of Antarctica's ice sheet. Earlier studies have shown that rugged terrain, such as jagged hillsides and mountain peaks, can impede this retreat.
-snip-
Antarctica is about 40% larger than Europe, 50% larger than the United States and roughly half the area of Africa.
-snip-
Much more at the link. No paywall.
Much more technical research article at Science.org with some maps: Complex mesoscale landscapes beneath Antarctica mapped from space
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ady2532