A hidden world beneath: What lies under 16,000 feet of Antarctic ice | Technology News
The Antarctic has always been shrouded in mystery. It seems the seventh largest continent’s icy surface is more than meets the eye. Scients from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have introduced the most detailed map ever of Antarctica’s hidden landscape under its expansive sheet of ice. The researchers introduced Bedmap3, the latest dataset offering highly detailed maps of the icy continents surface elevation, ice thickness, and subglacial topography. The dataset involves over six decades of survey data to reveal the continent’s geography as if its 27 million cubic kilometres of ice were removed. Bedmap3 is not solely a BAS project; it also involves multiple institutions.
For years scients have worked towards understanding what lies under the vast sheet of ice; now the new map seems to have offered the most detailed view ever. Bedmap3 is seen as a significant milestone in Antarctic cartography. It combines data from a wide range of sources, including satellites, aircraft, ships, and even sleds drawn dogs. The comprehensive project led BAS reportedly incorporates 52 million data points rendered on a 500-metre grid spacing for unprecedented detail.
Based on the research, the map seems to have filled significant gaps in knowledge, especially about East Antarctica around the South Pole, the Antarctic Peninsula, West Antarctic coastlines, and the Transantarctic Mountains. Bedmap3, with its advanced imaging techniques involving radar, seismic reflection, and gravity measurements, offers scients a powerful tool to visualise the landscape of the icy continent without its frozen surface.
Story continues below this ad
Bedmap3 has revealed hidden wonders under the icy surface of the Earth’s southernmost continent. From deep valleys to towering mountains, most of which were earlier obscured, are now seen with unprecedented precision. For scients, the map reveals critical lines where ice meets the ocean, offering deep insights into the layout of the continent.
Notable discoveries include the vast extent of Antarctica’s ice sheet that covers around 13.63 million sq km with an average thickness of 1,948 metres. Meanwhile, the thickest ice in Antarctica has been identified in an unnamed canyon in Wilkes Land. According to the research, this colossal formation is 4,757 metres thick. This detailed mapping of extreme ice thickness is offering crucial clues to scients to understand the ice dynamics and the potential sea-level rise scenarios.
The research introduces Bedmap3, the latest dataset that significantly improves on the previous Bedmap1 and Bedmap2. The research is noteworthy as it will help scients understand how Antarctica’s icy surface responds to climate change and its impact on future sea-level rise. It offers crucial data to analyse how ice interacts and moves with the ocean. Besides the clearer view of the hidden landscape, it will ass in studying the continent’s geological past.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Expand
