Tragedy stopped Mawson exploring this remote Antarctic region. We must get there to study its melting ice
If all the ice in the Wilkes Subglacial Basin melted, it would raise global sea levels 3 to 4 metres. It happened before – at temperatures we’re heading towards
A century ago, Sir Douglas Mawson led an expedition into a remote region of East Antarctica known as the Wilkes Subglacial Basin. This area, covering 1,400 kilometers by 400 kilometers, was the subject of their exploration. However, tragic accidents forced the party to turn back. Later, another attempt was made by Cecil Madigan, but again, they did not reach their destination.
The Wilkes Subglacial Basin, situated below sea level, holds a significant amount of ice that, if melted, would raise global sea levels by three to four meters. This ice sheet's vulnerability has never been explored before. Its bedrock lies up to 2,000 meters below sea level, and the ice thickness varies, making the region susceptible to melting and altering ocean currents.
Current data on the region primarily comes from aircraft using ice-penetrating radar, revealing its shape and vulnerability. Satellite observations have documented a fringing ice shelf collapse in the 1970s or 1980s. However, more information is needed to understand the pathways warm ocean water can use to access the ice. Despite its remote location, the basin is closer to Australia than to other parts of Antarctica, primarily due to the presence of thick, persistent sea ice.
Reaching the Wilkes Subglacial Basin is challenging, with no ship having come within 150 km of a major glacier within the basin. Accessing the area would require extensive multinational efforts, using advanced technologies, and a sustained commitment to understand the potential impact on global sea levels and climate.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
