Recognizable as one of Newfoundlands most unique and dramatic natural wonders, Iceberg Alley is a stretch of water that serves as a passage for ancient icebergs that have broken off and drifted from northern Arctic glaciers. And now, scientists plan on drilling holes in sea-floors to study them.
More than two dozen researchers left for Iceberg Alley on March 20th with a plan to obtain cores of sediment from a remote section of seafloor to study clues that may have been left by ancient icebergs. This information is supposed to provide some idea on how the ice sheets were affected by climate in the past 10 million years. Additionally, it is predicted that if these glaciers were to melt, it would raise the global sea level about 220 feet. Hence, the researchers are looking to learn how fast the ice might react to changes in the climate based on how they reacted in the past to warm periods similar to today’s. Scientists are looking for the “rafted debris” that has been dropped off by icebergs as they head north.
They will also be able to see the effect of climate on icebergs by measuring the amount of icebergs that travelled through Iceberg Alley. The more ice blocks that passed through the alley in any particular period in the past, the more unstable the Antarctic was likely to have been during that time. The thickest layers of dropped stones and dust deposited on the ocean floor should relate to the warmest phases of ancient Antarctica. They expect to pull up hundreds of meters of sediment core covering the past 20 million years in order to study this amount.
The researchers want to position themselves in the centre of the Alley off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula and drill in to the seafloor. During this time, huge blocks of ice are expected to drift through their research site. It is reported that “there were times on our cruise when [they] thought [they] were in Iceberg Alley because there were so many bergs about, and every time one approaches you have to abandon your hole, wait for the berg to pass, and then return to resume drilling.”
As a major in the STEM field, I understand the importance in research and the ability to be able to predict what the future will look like. I am also aware of the fact that ambiguity is a terrifying concept in a generation with readily available information on anything. However, I wonder if the damage that research may be inflicting upon natural wonders, that are already diminishing, is worth knowing more about a concept we already know about.
According to the researchers, “while we have some ideas on why this is happening, it’s not well understood yet; we’ve only been watching it for a few decades.” That is why they feel that “we need these longer-term records, to get a real insight on what’s occurring now and how things could change in the future.”
So, what is known about the melting of glaciers? This is definitely one of the first things that comes to anyone’s mind when climate change is mentioned. However, the implications of melting glaciers are less spoken of.
One of the major concerns are the rising sea levels. As glaciers melt into the oceans, the amount of water increases naturally. This will result in water engulfing habitable land, starting with coastal areas.
This graph tracks the changes in sea levels since 1993 as observed by satellites. The increasing slope of the line is clear evidence that this is in fact happening. Average sea levels have increased over 8 inches since 1880, and three of those inches were gained in the last 25 years.
Rising sea levels are already damaging coastal habitats tremendously. It has been causing destructive erosions, wetland flooding, soil contamination and lose of habitat for fish, birds, and plants. It is also bringing about more hurricanes, typhoons, and dangerous storms. People who live in low-lying coastal areas have already been forced to move to higher ground.
It won’t be long till these occurrences become world-wide. It is important to do more than just read about climate change and acknowledge its existence. It is necessary to supporting businesses and products who favor the planet instead of harm it.
https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-to-see-iceberg-alley-in-newfoundland-canada-4138564
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47711600
I love that you began this post telling the story of these researchers, and what it is like to be in the field witnessing the destruction of these magnificent icebergs. I remember reading about this topic before, and hearing statistics about how quickly ocean levels are rising. I could not wrap my head around the idea that the entire ocean, a body of water covering our planet, could rise so substantially. I think this post does a great job addressing the gravity of this issue and providing those same shocking statistics that will be sure to stick with your audience.
I feel like one of the most common things people talk about when referring to climate change is the melting of icebergs, so it was interesting to actually read detailed info about the science around it and how crucial it is that we stop it. The graphic you inserted into this post was very helpful in terms of understanding how icebergs impact the sea level and it showed that a lot is at stake.