The Antarctic Ice Sheet | How It Formed and It’s History

The glacial landscape of Antarctica makes it a fascinating destination for explorers and adventurers. For scientists, the study of Antarctic glaciers is crucial for determining the effects of global climate change.

Today, cutting edge technology is allowing scientists to observe Antarctica more closely than before. This allows them to gain insights into something captivating - the topography of Antarctica under the ice sheet.

What is the Antarctic ice sheet?

The Antarctic ice sheet is an unimaginably massive continental glacier. It is 14 million square kilometers in area and contains 30 million cubic kilometers of ice. Here is one more incredible Antarctica fact, more than 60% of the world’s total freshwater reserve is contained in Antarctic ice. If this reserve melts, global sea levels would rise by around 57 metres.

Geographically, Antarctica’s ice sheet is divided into three sections - East Antarctic ice sheet (EAIS), West Antarctic ice sheet (WAIS), and Antarctic Peninsula (AP). More ice is accumulated in the central areas of the continent than near the coasts.

How did the Antarctic ice sheet form?

Looking at today’s Antarctica, it is hard to believe that 34 million years ago, the continent was an ice-free fertile land. Even when the coastal region of East Antarctica started freezing, West Antarctica remained deeply forested. 

Researchers studied the seafloor ice in West Antarctica but found no trace of ice during the initial phase of Antarctic glaciation. Another 7 million years passed before the cold wave started moving towards the west.

This major climate change started due to planetary cooling resulting from a drop in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. One reason for that was the formation of large mountain ranges like the Himalayas and Alps in that period.

Antarctica’s three main ice sheets

Each of the three ice sheets of Antarctica has distinct geographical features, which makes them unique.

How the Antarctic ice sheet affects Earth’s climate

The cold fact is that Antarctica’s ice sheets are the most uncertain contributors to global sea level rise. With the climate getting warmer, the warm air and water cause the edges of the ice sheets - especially the edges near low-elevation regions - to lose ice. 

Since the white ice reflects heat, Antarctica's ice sheets balance the heat absorbed by other portions of the planet. The loss of the ice will result in two extremes. At one end there will be severe heatwaves worldwide. On the other hand, the polar jet stream - a fast-moving air band that keeps the cold Arctic air separated - will be destabilized and bring about extreme cold in some regions.

How the Antarctic ice sheet is changing

The knowledge about the ice sheet formation in Antarctica helps climatologists assess the future of the continent. Since the WAIS was formed last, conversely, it will be the first to melt from global warming.

Climate and weather

The East Antarctic ice sheet is extremely cold and dry, the coldest place on the planet. The lowest temperatures in the region can be as low as -85°C. The annual rainfall in the region is much less than that in the peninsular ice sheet.

Being lower in altitude, West Antarctica is not as cold and has experienced significant warming in the past decades. The peninsular region experiences relatively milder climates with higher precipitation.

Planning your trip to Antarctica

Reaching this glacial wonderland is only possible in the summer when the weather conditions are ideal for Antarctic cruises. However, a big part about an Antarctic journey is embracing the uncertainties and being ready for them. In this land, the fate of all your journeys will be determined by the rules of nature.

The key aspects to an Antarctic journey are to make the right plan and be well prepared. So, while preparing for an Antarctic trip, follow the right packing list.

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