Antarctic ice is melting so fast the whole continent may be at risk by 2100

(guardian-, 12 Oct 2015) New research predicts a doubling of surface melting of the ice shelves by 2050, risking their collapse by the end of the century, say scientists.

Antarctic ice is melting so fast that the stability of the whole continent could be at risk by 2100, scientists have warned.

Widespread collapse of Antarctic ice shelves – floating extensions of land ice projecting into the sea – could pave the way for dramatic rises in sea level.

The new research predicts a doubling of surface melting of the ice shelves by 2050. By the end of the century, the melting rate could surpass the point associated with ice shelf collapse, it is claimed.

If that happened a natural barrier to the flow of ice from glaciers and land-covering ice sheets into the oceans would be removed.

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guardian-, 12 Oct 2015: Antarctic ice is melting so fast the whole continent may be at risk by 2100