During the Pliocene epoch, global mean sea level was 6-40 meters above present-day levels and Antarctic ice loss occurred but is difficult for models to reproduce
Every 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming brings tipping points closer and accelerates the melting process
Grounding zone melting identified as important physical process leading to significant sea level rise
Ice-sheet models lack representation of this important physical process leading to underestimation of sea level rise
Pine Island glacier, currently Antarctica's largest contributor to sea-level rise, is particularly at risk due to its slope allowing more sea water in
Scientists discover new tipping point in Antarctic ice sheet melting process
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have identified a new tipping point in the Antarctic ice sheet melting process. This tipping point, which was previously unknown, could lead to significant increases in ice melt and subsequent sea level rise. The findings were published in the journal Nature Geoscience by researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
The new tipping point is related to a phenomenon called grounding zone melting, which occurs when relatively warm ocean water seeps beneath the ice sheet and melts it from below. This process can have dramatic consequences for sea level rise contributions from ice sheets.
According to the study, every 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming brings tipping points closer and accelerates the melting process. The Pine Island glacier, currently Antarctica's largest contributor to sea-level rise, is particularly at risk due to its slope allowing more sea water in.
The researchers found that ice-sheet models lack representation of this important physical process, leading to underestimation of sea level rise. They also noted that during the Pliocene epoch, global mean sea level was 6-40 meters above present-day levels and Antarctic ice loss occurred but is difficult for models to reproduce.
The discovery of this new tipping point underscores the need for more accurate modeling of ice sheet behavior in order to better predict the impact of climate change on sea level rise and coastal communities.
Every 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming brings tipping points closer and accelerates the melting process.
The Pine Island glacier, currently Antarctica's largest contributor to sea-level rise, is at high risk due to its slope allowing more sea water in.
Relatively warm ocean water can intrude long distances upstream of ice-shelf grounding lines, having dramatic consequences for sea-level rise contributions from ice sheets.
Accuracy
Models used by IPCC to project Antarctic ice loss have underestimated the phenomenon of ocean water intrusion beneath the ice.
Scientists have discovered a new tipping point for 'runaway melting' of Antarctic ice sheets due to warm ocean water intruding between the ice and land.
Deception
(95%)
The article does not make any direct author opinions or emotional manipulation. It reports on a study and its findings without sensationalizing the information. However, there is selective reporting as the article only mentions one study and does not provide context about other studies or perspectives on the topic. The article also implies facts without linking to peer-reviewed studies which have not been retracted.
They have also systematically underestimated ice loss seen thus far, said the study.
As ocean temperatures rise due to human-caused global warming, Antarctic ice sheets are melting.
Models used by the IPCC to project the impact of global warming on the Antarctic have yet to factor in this phenomenon.
Ice-sheet models lack representation of important physical processes, leading to underestimation of sea-level rise.
ȦeRelatively warm ocean water can intrude long distances upstream of ice-shelf grounding lines, having dramatic consequences for sea-level rise contributions from ice sheets.Ȧ/p
During the Pliocene epoch, global mean sea level was 6–40 meters above present-day levels and Antarctic ice loss occurred but is difficult for models to reproduce.
Several palaeoclimate simulations have gained interest in attaining low-end Pliocene GMSL estimates.
Accuracy
Recent ice loss is underestimated by ice-sheet models.
Observationally constrained sea-level highstands from previous interglacials cannot be reproduced by ice-sheet models.
Palaeoclimate ice-sheet reconstructions can only reproduce low-end estimates with mechanisms to boost sensitivity to climatic forcing invoked.
New research reveals a worrying way large ice sheets can melt through warm seawater lapping against the underside of ground-based ice.
"Grounding zone melting displays a 'tipping point-like' behavior where a small change in ocean temperature causes a big increase in grounding zone melting.
Warm ocean water can infiltrate the space between land and overlying ice sheet, causing localized melting and lubricating the ice bed.
Alex Bradley, lead study author from BAS, explains that grounding zone melting displays a 'tipping point-like' behavior where a small change in ocean temperature causes a big increase in grounding zone melting.
Projections of sea level rise might be underestimates due to missing physics not included in ice sheet models, which can't simulate melting beneath grounded ice.
Accuracy
Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) identified this process, which might be a new climate tipping point leading to runaway changes.
Alex Bradley, lead study author from BAS, explains that grounding zone melting displays a ‘tipping point-like’ behavior where a small change in ocean temperature causes a big increase in grounding zone melting.
Antarctica’s ice extent has suffered notable declines in recent years with record lows reached in 2022 and 2023.
Deception
(95%)
The article makes several statements that could be considered sensational and emotional manipulation. The title itself is sensational and implies imminent disaster. The author uses the term 'worrying' to describe the discovery, which is an emotional response not based on fact. The author also states that this discovery might be a 'new climate tipping point', implying that it could lead to catastrophic consequences without providing any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, the author uses the term 'big changes' and 'very big change' to describe the potential impact of this discovery, which is also sensational and emotional language.
We have identified the possibility of a new tipping point in Antarctic ice sheet melting.
New research has uncovered a worrying way that large ice sheets can melt through warm seawater lapping against the underside of ground-based ice.
This means our projections of sea level rise might be significant underestimates.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential slippery slope fallacy. The author states the findings of researchers at the British Antarctic Survey without questioning or critically analyzing their conclusions. Additionally, there is a mention of 'significant underestimates' in sea level rise projections, which could imply a slippery slope fallacy if not properly supported by evidence.
The researchers believe the discovery might even be a new "climate tipping point" – a critical threshold that, when crossed, leads to runaway changes and totally upends an element in Earth's system.
We have identified the possibility of a new tipping point in Antarctic ice sheet melting. This means our projections of sea level rise might be significant underestimates.
Alex Bradley, lead study author and ice dynamics researcher at BAS, said in a statement.
A new way of ice sheet melting has been identified by scientists.
'Ice-shelf basal melt rates are smaller than required by models to reproduce observed retreat rates.'
Relatively warm ocean water can intrude long distances upstream of ice-shelf grounding lines, having dramatic consequences for sea-level rise contributions from ice sheets.
Scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) identified this process, which might be a new climate tipping point leading to runaway changes.
During the Pliocene epoch, global mean sea level was 6–40 meters above present-day levels and Antarctic ice loss occurred but is difficult for models to reproduce.
Accuracy
Warm seawater is seeping into the grounding zone and further inland, causing accelerated melting from below.
Ice sheets are very sensitive to melting in their grounding zones. Grounding zone melting displays a ‘tipping point like’ behaviour, where a small change in ocean temperature can cause a big increase in grounding zone melting and flow of the ice above it.
Every 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming brings tipping points closer and accelerates the melting process.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when the author states 'This means our projections of sea level rise might be significant underestimates.' and 'Ice melt in this way, which is currently not accounted for in the models used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and others, could explain why ice sheets in Antarctica and Greenland seem to be shrinking faster than expected.' The author is implying that because scientists at BAS have made this discovery, it must be significant and that other models are incorrect. However, the validity of the findings should be evaluated based on their own merits rather than the authority of the source.
]The research focuses on a region beneath an ice sheet called the grounding zone, which is where the ground-based ice meets the sea. Over time, such land-based ice moves into the surrounding ocean and eventually melts []-- This statement implies that it is a natural process for land-based ice to move into the ocean and melt. However, when discussing tipping points and significant underestimates of sea level rise, it is important to consider that human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions are contributing significantly to global warming and melting ice sheets. The article does not mention these contributions.
The new study models how seawater can seep between the land and the ice sheet that rests on it, and how this affects the localised melting of the ice, lubricating the bed and influencing the speed at which it could slide towards the sea. And it looks at how this process accelerates with warming water. [
Warm ocean water is seeping beneath the Antarctic ice sheet at its grounding line, causing accelerated melting and potentially reaching a tipping point.
,
Accuracy
Every 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming brings tipping points closer and accelerates the melting process.
Relatively warm ocean water can intrude long distances upstream of ice-shelf grounding lines, having dramatic consequences for sea-level rise contributions from ice sheets.
