Feb 25 • 19:16 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina Clarin (ES)

What would happen to Antarctica if the Earth's temperature rises by 2°C? A finding alerts about the consequences of global warming

Scientists have drilled unprecedented depths in Antarctica to study the potential impacts of a 2°C rise in global temperatures on the ice sheets.

In recent years, an international scientific consortium has been dedicated to studying the intricate behavior of Antarctic ice. After months of research, experts have successfully drilled into a specific mass of ice, reaching unprecedented depths to explore the geological layers beneath. This groundbreaking endeavor has yielded over 200 meters of sediment samples, which may indicate the historical and potential future responses of this massive ice sheet to rising global temperatures.

Since 2021, scientists from various countries have been involved in a collaborative project to address a critical question: What would happen to the West Antarctic ice sheet if global temperatures were to rise by 2°C? This threshold is particularly alarming as it represents a crucial limit identified in the Paris Agreement; exceeding it could trigger irreversible changes in Antarctic ice dynamics. The outcomes of this research hold significant implications for understanding the future of sea-level rise and climate change.

The effort to gather core samples, including a record 228 meters of sediment, underscores the scientific community's urgency in investigating climate-related scenarios. The data obtained could help model the responses of the West Antarctic ice to temperature fluctuations, offering insights that are vital for global climate policy and hazard assessment regarding potential consequences for coastal communities worldwide.

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