West Antarctic Ice Sheet

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is a large, unstable sheet of ice that covers a part of West Antarctica. It is much smaller and more dynamic than the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Due to it's lower elevation, it is not as cold as the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. The WAIS is bordered by the Ross Ice Shelf, the Filchner–Ronne Ice Shelf, and outlet glaciers that border the Amundsen Sea.[1]

Geography and Stability

The WAIS is unique because most of it rests on land that is below sea level. This makes it a marine-based ice sheet, which means its edges are in direct contact with the ocean. This makes it very sensitive to warming ocean temperatures. Because of this, scientists are concerned that a large portion of the ice sheet could collapse quickly if the ocean continues to warm.

If the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt, it would raise global sea levels by about 3.3 meters (10.8 feet).

Ice Streams

A major feature of the WAIS is its ice streams, which are fast-flowing rivers of ice that move towards the ocean. The most famous of these are the Pine Island Glacier and the Thwaites Glacier. These glaciers are losing mass at a rapid rate, which contributes significantly to rising sea levels. They are often called the "Achilles' heel" of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet because their instability could lead to a faster collapse of the entire ice sheet.

Research

Scientists are constantly monitoring the WAIS using satellites and on-the-ground measurements. They study its thickness, speed, and how it responds to changes in the climate to better predict future sea-level rise.

  1. ↑ Davies, Bethan (21 October 2020). "West Antarctic Ice Sheet". AntarcticGlaciers.org.
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