Mantle plume, a geothermal heat source under West Antarctic ice sheet

Mantle plume, a geothermal heat source under West Antarctic ice sheet

A new study adds to evidence that a geothermal heat source called a mantle plume lies deep below Antarctica's Marie Byrd Land, explaining some of the melting that forms lakes and rivers under the ice sheet. Although the heat source isn't a new or increasing…

West Antarctic Ice Sheet breaking apart from the inside out

West Antarctic Ice Sheet breaking apart from the inside out

A new study has found the glacier bounding the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is breaking apart from the inside out. The Pine Island Glacier, one of the glaciers which will probably rapidly retreat, forms an important part of the ice shelf of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet….