Antarctica, the coldest and most mysterious continent in the world, continues to keep scientists’ curiosity alive for years. The secrets lying beneath its frozen surface both shed light on the geological history of our planet and provide important clues about climate change, one of today’s most critical global problems.
Increasing scientific studies in recent years have revealed the existence of previously undiscovered huge structures and extraordinary geological formations under the continent. While these discoveries usher in a new era in understanding the unknowns that lie deep in Antarctica, issues such as microbiological life and viruses that may be hidden under the glaciers also come to the fore in the scientific world from time to time.
Now, in this harsh and freezing environment, scientists have discovered a huge mass of granite that has never been noticed before, under the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
A GIANT ROCK THAT IS HALF THE SIZE OF WALES!
This research, carried out by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), revealed that the rocky structure, which is approximately 100 kilometers wide and 7 kilometers thick, is half the size of Wales.
This giant granite slab lies beneath the Pine Island Glacier and is estimated to have formed approximately 175 million years ago during the Jurassic period (a period lasting from approximately 201 million years to 145 million years ago on the geological time scale).
This discovery not only provides important information about the geological structure of Antarctica, but also provides an important reference point for how glaciers move and how they may respond to climate change.
‘WE HAVE OBTAINED NEW DATA ABOUT THE PAST MOVEMENTS OF THE ICE SHEETS’
The discovery was made possible thanks to unusual pink granite rocks found in the high mountains of Antarctica. These rocks have intrigued scientists for decades because they are quite different from the dominant black basalt rocks in the region. Experts have determined that these granite pieces are small pieces of large rocks that glaciers carried to the tops of mountains in the past.
Dr., who works as a geophysicist at the British Antarctic Survey and is the lead author of the article. “These pink granite boulders we see on the surface indicate a huge mass of granite hiding under the ice,” said Tom Jordan. “We not only elucidated the origin of the rocks, but also obtained new data about the past movements of the ice sheet,” Jordan added.
THEY MEASURED VERY SMALL CHANGES IN THE EARTH’S GRAVITATION FIELD
To get a clear idea of the origin of the pink granites, scientists flew over the Hudson Mountains and measured minute changes in the earth’s gravitational field. The gravitational field varies depending on the different mass distribution beneath the Earth’s crust, and such precise measurements can reveal the presence and arrangement of rocks underground.
Dr. “Gravity is the gravitational force applied to everything under our feet. When you stand on a dense sheet like lead, you feel more pull than when you stand on a wooden sheet. Our sensors on the plane can detect these tiny changes,” Jordan explained.
Thanks to gravity mapping, researchers confirmed that there is an unusual and dense granite mass beneath the Pine Island Glacier. This finding revealed that rocks were carried by glaciers in the past, when they were much thicker, and shaped the geological structure in the region.
ABOUT 75 MILLION YEARS OLDER THAN BLACK BASALT ROCKS
The pink granites found in the Hudson Mountains are approximately 75 million years older than the black basalt rocks in the region and have a different geological structure. This provides a critical clue to understanding how glaciers in the region move and their relationship to the rocks beneath the ice sheet.
Dr. “These rocks provide an incredible record of our planet’s geological and climatic evolution. They are key to understanding what lies deep within the ice sheet and what lies beyond our reach,” said Joanne Johnson.
The discovery is also of great importance in terms of climate change. Pine Island Glacier has witnessed one of the fastest ice melts in Antarctica in the last 30 years. The structure and location of this giant granite mass will enable scientists to develop new models to understand how ice moves on the layers, the flow of meltwater and the future behavior of the ice sheet.
CRITICAL INCREASE IN SEA LEVELS
Scientists say such discoveries in Antarctica will significantly improve predictions of how sea levels will change in the future. By studying the movements of the ice sheet since the last ice age, experts can better predict the effects of climate change on ice melt on the continent.
Global sea levels could rise by as much as 1.2 meters (4 feet) by 2300, even if the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement targets are met, an international research team led by Germany has warned. The report states that in the long term, the melting of glaciers from Greenland to Antarctica will dramatically change coastlines.
ALL COASTS ACROSS THE WORLD ARE IN DANGER
This increase in sea level threatens millions of people living in low-lying areas from metropolises around the world. Many critical regions such as Shanghai, London, Florida, Bangladesh and the Maldives are at serious risk due to rising water levels.
Dr. from Potsdam Climate Impact Research Institute. Matthias Mengel said, “Sea level rise is generally seen as a slow process, but the next 30 years are critical in this regard. The steps taken during this period will have their effects for centuries.”
REDUCING EMISSIONS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT
The research emphasized that approximately 200 countries that comply with the targets of the 2015 Paris Agreement have not fully fulfilled their commitments and that more urgent and effective measures must be taken to reduce global emissions. Scientists say that greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere trap the already accumulated heat, causing further ice melting, and that this process can have irreversible effects.
It was also stated that an increase in water temperature above 4 degrees Celsius would cause the natural expansion of water, accelerating the rise in sea levels. It was noted that each five-year emission reduction delay would cause an additional increase in sea level of approximately 20 centimeters by 2300.
The discovery of the giant granite mass beneath the Pine Island Glacier has opened a new door for scientists to understand the complex ice dynamics of Antarctica. This finding is vital for improving computer models used to predict sea level rise.
(İsmail SARI / Hürriyet)
