Antarctic Glacier Caught Red-Handed: Stealing Ice from Its Neighbor!

Published in The Cryosphere, a study funded by ESA’s FutureEO program reveals that the Kohler East Glacier is pulling ice from Kohler West Glacier. Both glaciers are part of the rapidly changing landscape of West Antarctica, which also includes the Pope and Smith Glaciers.

These glaciers flow into the Dotson and Crosson Ice Shelves, which are crucial for understanding rising sea levels. As they melt, their impact becomes more significant.

A research team from the University of Leeds analyzed satellite data from 2005 to 2022. They focused on the speed of eight ice streams in the Kohler region. Using tracking techniques, they measured changes in the glaciers’ movement.

They found seven glaciers had sped up, with one nearly doubling its speed. However, Kohler West actually slowed down, hinting at complex interactions between these ice flows.

The team discovered a shift in the flow direction of the glaciers. Kohler East, moving quickly, is stealing ice from the slower Kohler West. On average, glaciers in this area sped up by 51% since 2005, with some increasing by as much as 87% over 17 years. Astonishingly, Kohler West’s ice flow decreased by 10% during the same period.

Dr. Heather Selley from the University of Leeds explained that this slowdown is linked to Kohler West’s change in direction due to ice thinning in Kohler East. The “ice piracy” phenomenon is noticeable in less than 18 years, contradicting previous beliefs that it took much longer.

These findings reveal a significant acceleration in a region of Antarctica known for high ice thinning and grounding-line retreat. The grounding line, where land glaciers meet floating ice shelves, is crucial. If it moves inland, ice flow towards the ocean can increase.

Prof. Anna Hogg highlighted that these changes are vital for understanding how glaciers might evolve and their impact on sea-level rise. She noted, “Ice flow redirection is crucial for assessing glacier dynamics and future structural changes.”

Dr. Martin Wearing from ESA emphasized the power of satellite data for monitoring these changes. The combination of information from Sentinel-1 and ESA’s CryoSat mission provides a clearer picture of Antarctica’s ice dynamics.

This study underscores the importance of understanding these glacier interactions for predicting future sea-level scenarios. With climate change affecting many glaciers, keeping a close eye on these developments is crucial.