What’s mystery behind large voids in Antarctica? After nearly half a century of intrigue, scientists from the University of Southampton have cracked the enigma surrounding a colossal void in the Antarctic ice known as a polynya.
First spotted in 1974 and making notable reappearances in 2016 and 2017, this mammoth opening, estimated to be twice the size of New Jersey, has long baffled researchers with its sporadic nature and immense proportions.
Dubbed the Maud Rise Polynya due to its location atop an underwater mountain in the Weddell Sea, this phenomenon has defied conventional explanations for its formation and persistence.
What’s mystery behind large voids in Antarctica?
However, a recent study led by Aditya Narayanan, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Southampton, has shed new light on its mysteries.
Utilizing cutting-edge remote sensing satellites and sophisticated oceanographic models, Narayanan and his team delved into the complex interplay of ocean currents, wind dynamics, and salt concentrations that give rise to the polynya.
Their findings reveal that Ekman transport, a phenomenon driving vertical movement of seawater, played a pivotal role in sustaining the polynya over extended periods.
“The Maud Rise polynya was discovered in the 1970s when remote sensing satellites that can see sea ice over the Southern Ocean were first launched.”
“It persisted through consecutive winters from 1974 to 1976 and oceanographers back then assumed it would be an annual occurrence. But since the 1970s, it has occurred only sporadically and for brief intervals.”
Narayanan noted: “2017 was the first time that we’ve had such a large and long-lived polynya in the Weddell Sea since the 1970s.”
Alberto Naveira Garabato, co-author of the study, emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating that Ekman transport served as the crucial missing piece in understanding the polynya’s longevity
“Ekman transport was the essential missing ingredient that was necessary to increase the balance of salt and sustain the mixing of salt and heat towards the surface water,” said Alberto Naveira Garabato, the study’s co-author.
By enhancing the balance of salt and heat within the surface waters, this mechanism enabled the polynya to persist far beyond expectations.
Beyond its scientific implications, the study warns of the broader environmental impact of polynyas.
These vast openings in the sea ice can accelerate the melting of polar ice caps, contributing to rising sea levels and potentially exacerbating climate change effects.
The University of Southampton’s breakthrough represents a significant step forward in unraveling one of Antarctica’s most enduring mysteries.
Also read: Scientists sound the alarm as Antarctic sea ice hits record low
By deciphering the mechanisms behind the Maud Rise Polynya, researchers hope to better predict and mitigate its environmental impacts, paving the way for a deeper understanding of our planet’s complex climate systems.
Mount Erebus #Antartica
One of the highest Volcano in Antartica 🌋 pic.twitter.com/UEaVwo2R8J— Torsum Zulfiqar (@SalmanTorsum) April 29, 2024
