Interactive: Exploring Antarctica's ice - 360
James Goldie
Published on January 24, 2024
There’s more to Antarctica than the ice you see on the maps. Go on a tour of the frozen continent.
The image many people see of Antarctica is the outline featured on the Antarctic Treaty. But this is just the thick ice sheet: underneath sits a rocky continent that rises more than 2km into the air in places.
Our interactive takes you through the layers of Antarctica’s geography, highlighting area particularly at risk as the climate changes.
Antarctica has many types of ice. Understanding how it all interacts with the Southern Ocean will help researchers predict what happens to it next.
For decades, Antarctica’s sea ice appeared to be growing slightly over time. But in 2016, it reversed course dramatically, falling well below previous levels. In February 2023 it hit a record low, and this year’s ice levels of the Antarctic summer are still well below the pre-2016 average.
Sea ice abruptly began shrinking in 2016.
Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.
Editors Note: In the story “Antarctica’s shrinking ice” sent at: 22/01/2024 06:00.
This is a corrected repeat. No change to content.