A new scientific study has revealed that Victoria Glacier in East Antarctica lost half of its surface area in just two months during 2022, marking the fastest rate of glacial retreat ever recorded in modern history.
According to the research, conducted by a team from the University of Colorado Boulder, the glacier retreated about 25 kilometers between January 2022 and March 2023, including 8 kilometers in just November and December 2022, an unprecedented pace for the polar region.
The study attributes the rapid disintegration to the flat rocky bed beneath the glacier.
As the ice rapidly thinned, it began to float instead of resting on the rock base, accelerating its collapse.
Lead researcher Naomi Oschwat explained that satellite data collected over different time periods allowed the team to track changes in near real-time, providing a detailed picture of how the glacier disintegrated.
Researcher Ted Scambos described the event as “a shocking retreat,” warning that such trends could reshape expectations for larger Antarctic glaciers and contribute to rising sea levels if melting continues at the same pace.
Follow the latest news on Google News
