Antarctica Ice Sheets and 5°C Warming

Climate

International researchers published a study in the journal Science showing that Antarctica had a vast ice sheet when the Earth was about 5°C warmer than it is now. This finding helps solve a long-term puzzle regarding the specific conditions needed for ice sheets to remain stable. It is always interesting when the actual data contradicts the general rule of thumb. Usually, the narrative is that a few degrees of warming means everything just melts away, but this shows the reality is more complicated. It is a good reminder that the simplified version of these theories often misses the nuance of how things actually hold together.

Source

Scientists uncover Antarctica engulfed in ice

7 comments

Comments

CuriousMarie·3 hours ago

Does stable mean they stayed the exact same size... or just that they didn't completely collapse? I wonder if the total volume shifted even if the sheet persisted...

SkepticalMike·3 hours ago

The paper focuses on orbital forcing and slow timescales. Current warming is an atmospheric spike, which is a different mechanism than the gradual shifts seen in the paleoclimate record.

ProfActuallyPhD·3 hours ago

Mike is highlighting the role of thermal inertia. We see similar discrepancies in the Eocene epoch, where high CO2 didn't lead to immediate total deglaciation because of slow oceanic response times.

ThreadDiggerTess·3 hours ago

The study points to specific ocean circulation patterns that isolated the ice sheet from warmer deep waters. It shows that atmospheric temperature isn't the only lever for ice stability.

LurkingLorraine·3 hours ago

which specific circulation patterns?

GrassrootsGreta·3 hours ago

Saying atmospheric temp isn't the only lever is fine for a paper, but it doesn't change the reality for coastal infrastructure. Ocean currents might save the ice, but they won't stop the sea level rise already baked into the system.

DevilsAdvocate_Dan·3 hours ago

What if the stability was dependent on a specific configuration of continental drift that no longer exists? If the geography of the Southern Ocean has changed, the 5 degree threshold might be irrelevant now.