Urgent: Climate Change Threatens 25% of Sub-Antarctic Glaciers—What You Need to Know

Nearly a quarter of the glaciers on Heard Island have vanished due to climate change, according to research from Monash University. This sub-Antarctic island, about 4,100 kilometers from Perth, is one of the planet’s last untouched areas.

The study, published in the journal The Cryosphere, reveals that around 64 square kilometers—about 23.1% of the island’s icy surface—has melted since 1947. Researchers at the Australian Research Council’s Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) center are sounding the alarm now more than ever.

Dr. Levan Tielidze, a research fellow involved in the study, emphasizes that even this remote island shows clear signs of climate change. “These findings are a bellwether of change for our global climate system,” he states. The island, located in the crucial Southern Ocean, provides important clues about the health of our planet.

Studying Heard Island isn’t easy. Its challenging terrain limits access. To overcome this, researchers used historical topographical maps and modern satellite images to assess the glaciers. They cataloged 29 glaciers, tracing their forms over the decades and noting details like area and elevation. This data helps estimate how much ice is left and how it is changing.

Later this year, the team plans to return to Heard Island to investigate how the retreating glaciers impact local biodiversity. Professor Andrew Mackintosh, head of the school at Monash, will use computer models to simulate two future scenarios—one where strong climate action is taken and another where emissions continue to rise unchecked. He warns, “Further ice loss is unavoidable, but the extent depends on our actions.” The choices humanity makes could determine whether biodiversity flourishes or faces devastation.

Heard Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is mostly covered in ice and features an active volcano, Big Ben, which has grown taller than previously recorded. In a strange twist, the island made headlines recently when former President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on it, despite no trade or human presence there since 2016.

For more details, check out the research paper here: Research Paper.

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