Beyond being mere fissures in the ice, crevasses serve a crucial role in the circulation of seawater beneath Antarctic ice shelves.

This discovery is the result of research led by Cornell University, made possible by a groundbreaking expedition using an underwater robot.

The remotely operated Icefin robot’s journey up and down a crevasse within the base of the Ross Ice Shelf provided the first-ever 3D measurements of ocean conditions in proximity to the crucial grounding zone, where the ice shelf meets the coastline.

This robotic exploration unveiled a novel circulation pattern involving a jet that diverts water laterally through the crevasse, Phys.org reported.

It also identified ascending and descending currents, along with diverse ice formations shaped by shifting flows and temperatures.

These findings will significantly enhance the accuracy of models used to predict ice shelf melting and freezing rates at grounding zones, which have seen limited direct observations.

They will also aid in understanding the potential impact of ice shelves on global sea-level rise.

Written by staff