Limiting global warming to 1.5°C could halve how much sea levels rise due to melting ice sheets this century, according to a major new study modelling how Earth's frozen spaces will respond to ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Since 1993, melting land ice has contributed to at least half of global sea level rise and scientists have previously warned that the vast ice sheets of Antarctica were disappearing faster than worst-case scenarios.

An international team of more than 50 climate scientists combined hundreds of melt simulations of the Antarctica and Greenland ice sheets, which contain enough frozen water to raise the world's seas some 65 metres (213 feet).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/california-sequoia-still-smoldering-after-2020-fires-383159" hreflang="en">California sequoia still smoldering after 2020 fires</a>

They also included melt modelling from Earth's more than 220,000 glaciers, which make up only one percent of ice on the planet but contribute as much as a fifth of sea level rise.

The team analysed the models to come up with probability estimates of how much melting ice would raise oceans under a variety of emissions pathways.

They found that if mankind successfully limits warming to 1.5°C -- the goal set down in the Paris climate deal -- it could halve ice's contribution to sea level rise by 2100.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/study-finds-air-pollution-spikes-may-impair-older-mens-thinking-382739" hreflang="en">Study finds air pollution spikes may impair older men’s thinking&nbsp;</a>

This is compared with the roughly 3C of warming Earth would undergo if countries' current emissions-cutting pledges played out.

"Global sea level is going to continue to rise," said lead study author Tamsin Edwards, from King's College London's department of geography.

"But we could halve that contribution from ice melting if we limit warming to 1.5°C, relative to current pledges."

Antarctic uncertainty

The study, published in the journal Nature, found that the average contribution to sea level rise from melting ice at 1.5°C was 13 centimetres (five inches) by 2100, compared to the 25 centimetres currently projected.

The analysis showed that sea level rise attributed to the Greenland ice sheet would fall 70 percent if the 1.5°C target was met, and land-based glaciers' contribution would roughly halve.

However the projections were less clear and varied widely when it came to Antarctica.

Co-author Sophie Nowicki, from the NASA Goddard Flight Center, said the uncertainty in the models was largely down to what extent increased snowfall across a warming continent would offset melting from the ice shelves.

"Greenland is really sensitive to atmospheric changes, and so in a warmer world you get more melting on the surface of the ice sheets," said Nowicki.

"In Antarctica it is very complex. A warmer world could mean more snowfall, but it could also mean more melt at the side of the icesheet."

The calculations showed a 95 percent chance that Antarctica would contribute less than 56 centimetres to sea level rise by 2100.

But under a "pessimistic scenario", the study showed, Antarctica could raise global oceans by more than that even if humanity manages to cap warming at 1.5°C.

'Irreversible' melt

A second study, also published Wednesday in Nature, found that limiting warming to 2C above industrial levels was likely to maintain the current rate of ice melt in Antarctica.

However, if current emissions-cutting pledges are not intensified by 2060, the models showed that the continent could contribute half a centimetre to sea levels every year by 2100.

Furthermore, the study warned that if emissions continue at their current levels, a tipping point will be reached around 2060 which would lead to Antarctic melt that would be "irreversible on multi-century timescales".

The research, led by a team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, modelled how the ice shelves that keep the Antarctic ice sheet from collapsing into the sea were likely to respond to temperature changes this century.

With greater warming, the ice shelves thin and become more fragile, the models showed, risking accelerated melt from the ice sheet, as well as "calving", which is when large chunks of ice break off into the sea, as has happened already in parts of the Arctic.

"Global warming above 2C increases risk of exceeding a tipping point- where ice shelves thin or collapse, allowing a major acceleration in ice loss- and sea level rise," lead author Robert DeConto told AFP.

"Once set in motion, the ice retreat is unstoppable, because the buttressing ice shelves don't easily regrow in a warming ocean."

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C could halve how much sea levels rise due to melting ice sheets this century, according to a major new study modelling how Earth's frozen spaces will respond to ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C could halve how much sea levels rise due to melting ice sheets this century, according to a major new study modelling how Earth's frozen spaces will respond to ever-increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1993, melting land ice has contributed to at least half of global sea level rise and scientists have previously warned that the vast ice sheets of Antarctica were disappearing faster than worst-case scenarios. An international team of more than 50 climate scientists combined hundreds of melt simulations of the Antarctica and Greenland ice sheets, which contain enough frozen water to raise the world's seas some 65 metres (213 feet). Also read | California sequoia still smoldering after 2020 fires They also included melt modelling from Earth's more than 220,000 glaciers, which make up only one percent of ice on the planet but contribute as much as a fifth of sea level rise. The team analysed the models to come up with probability estimates of how much melting ice would raise oceans under a variety of emissions pathways. They found that if mankind successfully limits warming to 1.5°C -- the goal set down in the Paris climate deal -- it could halve ice's contribution to sea level rise by 2100. Also read | Study finds air pollution spikes may impair older men’s thinking This is compared with the roughly 3C of warming Earth would undergo if countries' current emissions-cutting pledges played out. "Global sea level is going to continue to rise," said lead study author Tamsin Edwards, from King's College London's department of geography. "But we could halve that contribution from ice melting if we limit warming to 1.5°C, relative to current pledges." Antarctic uncertainty The study, published in the journal Nature, found that the average contribution to sea level rise from melting ice at 1.5°C was 13 centimetres (five inches) by 2100, compared to the 25 centimetres currently projected. The analysis showed that sea level rise attributed to the Greenland ice sheet would fall 70 percent if the 1.5°C target was met, and land-based glaciers' contribution would roughly halve. However the projections were less clear and varied widely when it came to Antarctica. Co-author Sophie Nowicki, from the NASA Goddard Flight Center, said the uncertainty in the models was largely down to what extent increased snowfall across a warming continent would offset melting from the ice shelves. "Greenland is really sensitive to atmospheric changes, and so in a warmer world you get more melting on the surface of the ice sheets," said Nowicki. "In Antarctica it is very complex. A warmer world could mean more snowfall, but it could also mean more melt at the side of the icesheet." The calculations showed a 95 percent chance that Antarctica would contribute less than 56 centimetres to sea level rise by 2100. But under a "pessimistic scenario", the study showed, Antarctica could raise global oceans by more than that even if humanity manages to cap warming at 1.5°C. 'Irreversible' melt A second study, also published Wednesday in Nature, found that limiting warming to 2C above industrial levels was likely to maintain the current rate of ice melt in Antarctica. However, if current emissions-cutting pledges are not intensified by 2060, the models showed that the continent could contribute half a centimetre to sea levels every year by 2100. Furthermore, the study warned that if emissions continue at their current levels, a tipping point will be reached around 2060 which would lead to Antarctic melt that would be "irreversible on multi-century timescales". The research, led by a team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, modelled how the ice shelves that keep the Antarctic ice sheet from collapsing into the sea were likely to respond to temperature changes this century. With greater warming, the ice shelves thin and become more fragile, the models showed, risking accelerated melt from the ice sheet, as well as "calving", which is when large chunks of ice break off into the sea, as has happened already in parts of the Arctic. "Global warming above 2C increases risk of exceeding a tipping point- where ice shelves thin or collapse, allowing a major acceleration in ice loss- and sea level rise," lead author Robert DeConto told AFP. "Once set in motion, the ice retreat is unstoppable, because the buttressing ice shelves don't easily regrow in a warming ocean."

1.5C warming cap could 'halve' sea level rise from melting ice

Climate change is triggering an unprecedented crisis as ice sheets continue to melt. Now, a new study posits that global sea levels could rise by 20 per cent by the end of this century owing to the continuous melting of West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

On multiple occasions, scientists have warned of the dangers posed by expedited melting of ice caps and sheets which could drown towns and cities across the world.&nbsp;But the potential threat of the increase in sea levels from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet was downplayed till now. This implies that the increase in sea level would be much higher than previously estimated.

The study was published in the journal “Science Advances” and was undertaken by researchers from Harvard University in the United States. They used new calculations based on what they witnessed along the ice sheet, which they’ve referred&nbsp;as a “water expulsion mechanism”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/scientists-reveal-how-hot-antarctica-will-be-by-2044-due-to-climate-change-371098" hreflang="en">Scientists reveal how hot Antarctica will be by 2044 due to climate change</a>

Simply put, the mechanism happens when&nbsp;the solid base of the ice sheet begins to move upwards, decreasing the total weight of the ice sheet. In usual circumstances, the solid base or “bedrock” remains below sea level. But when it lifts itself, the water from the surrounding area is pushed into the ocean, contributing to the global increase in sea levels.

A simulation undertaken by the scientists showed that by the end of the ongoing century, a 20 per cent increase in the water expulsion mechanism could take place along the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. In case the ice sheet completely collapses, the global rise in sea levels would be amplified by an additional metre within 1,000 years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/scientists-discover-life-where-it-shouldnt-exist-in-antarctica-363842" hreflang="en">Scientists discover life where it shouldn't exist in Antarctica</a>

Scientists hope that others would follow suit in including the scope of water expulsion effect in further enquiries into the potential collapse of ice sheets on the planet.

(With inputs from agencies)

Climate change is triggering an unprecedented crisis as ice sheets continue to melt. Now, a new study posits that global sea levels could rise by 20 per cent by the end of this century owing to the continuous melting of West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Climate change is triggering an unprecedented crisis as ice sheets continue to melt. Now, a new study posits that global sea levels could rise by 20 per cent by the end of this century owing to the continuous melting of West Antarctic Ice Sheet. On multiple occasions, scientists have warned of the dangers posed by expedited melting of ice caps and sheets which could drown towns and cities across the world. But the potential threat of the increase in sea levels from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet was downplayed till now. This implies that the increase in sea level would be much higher than previously estimated. The study was published in the journal “Science Advances” and was undertaken by researchers from Harvard University in the United States. They used new calculations based on what they witnessed along the ice sheet, which they’ve referred as a “water expulsion mechanism”. Also read: Scientists reveal how hot Antarctica will be by 2044 due to climate change Simply put, the mechanism happens when the solid base of the ice sheet begins to move upwards, decreasing the total weight of the ice sheet. In usual circumstances, the solid base or “bedrock” remains below sea level. But when it lifts itself, the water from the surrounding area is pushed into the ocean, contributing to the global increase in sea levels. A simulation undertaken by the scientists showed that by the end of the ongoing century, a 20 per cent increase in the water expulsion mechanism could take place along the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. In case the ice sheet completely collapses, the global rise in sea levels would be amplified by an additional metre within 1,000 years. Also read: Scientists discover life where it shouldn't exist in Antarctica Scientists hope that others would follow suit in including the scope of water expulsion effect in further enquiries into the potential collapse of ice sheets on the planet. (With inputs from agencies)

Melting of Antarctic ice sheet could raise sea levels by 20%, new study finds

Dismissed a decade ago as far-fetched and dangerous, schemes to tame the effects of global warming by engineering the climate have migrated from the margins of policy debates towards centre stage.

"Plan A" refers to solving&nbsp;the problem at its source. But the UN's top climate science body has made it clear that slashing carbon pollution won't be enough to keep Earth from overheating. That has opened the door to a host of&nbsp;geoengineering&nbsp;schemes, from building underwater walls to shore up an Antarctic glacier the size of Britain to injecting a giant sunscreen into the stratosphere.

Here is a menu of "Plan B"&nbsp;geoengineering&nbsp;solutions, along with their potential drawbacks:

Direct CO2 capture&nbsp;

Experiments have shown it is possible to suck planet-warming carbon dioxide directly from the air, converting it into fuel pellets or storing it underground.

A company backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates launched a pilot facility in Canada in 2015, and another company operates one in Iceland.

Drawback: The technology is currently prohibitively expensive and might take decades to operate at scale.

Solar radiation management

Unlike other strategies, solar radiation management does not target CO2. The goal is simple: prevent some of the sun's rays from hitting the planet's surface, forcing them back up into space.

One idea is to inject or spray tiny reflective particles into the stratosphere, possibly with balloons, aircraft or through giant tubes.

Nature sometimes does the same: Debris from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines lowered the planet's average surface temperature for a year or two afterwards.

Sixty-six million years ago, a ten-kilometre wide asteroid strike threw up so much debris that it wiped out land-based dinosaurs built for steamy tropical climes.&nbsp;

In April, a balloon test flight in Sweden for the Harvard-led project SCoPEx, short for "Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment", was postponed amid concerns over the implications for the environment and people in the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In Australia, trials of a controversial technique to spray microscopic salt crystals into the air above the threatened Great Barrier Reef to make the clouds brighter began last year.&nbsp;

Australian scientists say if successful and combined with other climate and protection measures this could help slow the decline of the reef.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Afforestation

Extensive planting of trees could significantly slow the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which currently stands at more than 510 parts per million, 50 per cent more than 150 years ago.

Drawback: Even if deforestation could be reversed, more than 100,000 square kilometres of tropical forests have disappeared each year since 2013,&nbsp;the huge number of trees needed to put a dent in CO2 emissions would clash with food and biofuel crops.

BECCS&nbsp;

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) marries a natural process with a high-tech one.&nbsp;

The first step is to plant rapeseed, sugarcane, corn or "2nd-generation" biofuel crops such as switchgrass, which pull CO2 from the air while growing. The second step is while burning the harvested plants for energy to sequester the CO2 produced.

In theory, the result is less CO2 in the atmosphere than when the process started. Virtually all climate change models projecting a future consistent with the Paris Agreement's temperature targets assume a key role for BECCS.

Drawback: Studies calculate that up to twice the area of India would need to be given over to biofuels, putting BECCS in conflict with food crops. Such schemes would also require vast amounts of freshwater.

Ocean fertilisation&nbsp;

Microscopic ocean plants called phytoplankton gobble up CO2 and drag it to the bottom of the ocean when they die. Their colony size is limited by a lack of natural iron, but experiments have shown that sowing the ocean with iron sulphate powder creates large blooms.

Drawbacks: Scientists worry about unintended impacts. Die-offs of plankton, for example, use up oxygen, which could create massive "dead zones" in the oceans, something already on the rise.

Enhanced weathering&nbsp;

Natural weathering of rocks removes about one billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year, about two per cent of total man-made C02 emissions.&nbsp;

Spreading a powdered form of a greenish iron silicate called olivine across certain landscapes can mimic that process, experiments have shown.

Drawbacks: It would be expensive to mine and mill enough olivine to make a difference.

Biochar&nbsp;

Biochar is charcoal made by heating plant waste, rice straw, peanut shells, wood scraps, over long periods in low-oxygen conditions. It can store CO2 for long periods, and also enriches soil.

Drawback: The scientific jury is still out on how quickly this method could be scaled up, and on the stability of biochar used as a fertiliser.

(With inputs from agencies)

Dismissed a decade ago as far-fetched and dangerous, schemes to tame the effects of global warming by engineering the climate have migrated from the margins of policy debates towards centre stage.

Dismissed a decade ago as far-fetched and dangerous, schemes to tame the effects of global warming by engineering the climate have migrated from the margins of policy debates towards centre stage. "Plan A" refers to solving the problem at its source. But the UN's top climate science body has made it clear that slashing carbon pollution won't be enough to keep Earth from overheating. That has opened the door to a host of geoengineering schemes, from building underwater walls to shore up an Antarctic glacier the size of Britain to injecting a giant sunscreen into the stratosphere. Here is a menu of "Plan B" geoengineering solutions, along with their potential drawbacks: Direct CO2 capture Experiments have shown it is possible to suck planet-warming carbon dioxide directly from the air, converting it into fuel pellets or storing it underground. A company backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates launched a pilot facility in Canada in 2015, and another company operates one in Iceland. Drawback: The technology is currently prohibitively expensive and might take decades to operate at scale. Solar radiation management Unlike other strategies, solar radiation management does not target CO2. The goal is simple: prevent some of the sun's rays from hitting the planet's surface, forcing them back up into space. One idea is to inject or spray tiny reflective particles into the stratosphere, possibly with balloons, aircraft or through giant tubes. Nature sometimes does the same: Debris from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines lowered the planet's average surface temperature for a year or two afterwards. Sixty-six million years ago, a ten-kilometre wide asteroid strike threw up so much debris that it wiped out land-based dinosaurs built for steamy tropical climes. In April, a balloon test flight in Sweden for the Harvard-led project SCoPEx, short for "Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment", was postponed amid concerns over the implications for the environment and people in the country. In Australia, trials of a controversial technique to spray microscopic salt crystals into the air above the threatened Great Barrier Reef to make the clouds brighter began last year. Australian scientists say if successful and combined with other climate and protection measures this could help slow the decline of the reef. Afforestation Extensive planting of trees could significantly slow the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, which currently stands at more than 510 parts per million, 50 per cent more than 150 years ago. Drawback: Even if deforestation could be reversed, more than 100,000 square kilometres of tropical forests have disappeared each year since 2013, the huge number of trees needed to put a dent in CO2 emissions would clash with food and biofuel crops. BECCS Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) marries a natural process with a high-tech one. The first step is to plant rapeseed, sugarcane, corn or "2nd-generation" biofuel crops such as switchgrass, which pull CO2 from the air while growing. The second step is while burning the harvested plants for energy to sequester the CO2 produced. In theory, the result is less CO2 in the atmosphere than when the process started. Virtually all climate change models projecting a future consistent with the Paris Agreement's temperature targets assume a key role for BECCS. Drawback: Studies calculate that up to twice the area of India would need to be given over to biofuels, putting BECCS in conflict with food crops. Such schemes would also require vast amounts of freshwater. Ocean fertilisation Microscopic ocean plants called phytoplankton gobble up CO2 and drag it to the bottom of the ocean when they die. Their colony size is limited by a lack of natural iron, but experiments have shown that sowing the ocean with iron sulphate powder creates large blooms. Drawbacks: Scientists worry about unintended impacts. Die-offs of plankton, for example, use up oxygen, which could create massive "dead zones" in the oceans, something already on the rise. Enhanced weathering Natural weathering of rocks removes about one billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere every year, about two per cent of total man-made C02 emissions. Spreading a powdered form of a greenish iron silicate called olivine across certain landscapes can mimic that process, experiments have shown. Drawbacks: It would be expensive to mine and mill enough olivine to make a difference. Biochar Biochar is charcoal made by heating plant waste, rice straw, peanut shells, wood scraps, over long periods in low-oxygen conditions. It can store CO2 for long periods, and also enriches soil. Drawback: The scientific jury is still out on how quickly this method could be scaled up, and on the stability of biochar used as a fertiliser. (With inputs from agencies)

Here are some climate engineering schemes that can act as 'Plan B' for Earth

A168a is the giant iceberg which broke off from the Antarctic in July 2017 and since then it has been impacting the wildlife of the region. Though the iceberg is broken into many pieces but still has the capacity to disrupt the local environment which has also made the scientists worried.

World's Biggest Iceberg in the Antarctic

SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium has welcomed seven new Gentoo penguin chicks. The babies hatched in the aquarium's Sub-Antarctic zone over the past months, with the oldest arriving mid-October and the youngest two weeks ago.

Sydney Aquarium welcomes Gentoo penguin chicks

A huge iceberg from the Antarctic that has the size of a small country is approaching towards the island of South Georgia, triggering concerns that it could affect the economy and wildlife of the British territory.&nbsp;

Iceberg A-68A, which is of the same size South Georgia separated from the Larsen C ice shelf on the east of Antarctica’s peninsula in July 2017.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarctic-peninsula-at-warmest-in-decades-study-says-332146#:~:text=The%20year%202020%20is%20the,including%20Argentina%2C%20Chile%20and%20Britain.">Antarctic Peninsula at warmest in decades, study says&nbsp;</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

It is currently 150 km (93 miles) long and 48 km (30 miles) wide and is nearly 500 km away from the island.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/antarcticas-most-important-glaciers-depleting-faster-than-ever-study-331389#:~:text=The%20European%20Space%20Agency%20has,important%20glaciers%20of%20the%20continent.">Antarctica's most important glaciers depleting faster than ever: Study</a>

After losing a piece early, A-68A lost another in April to come at the current dimensions. South Georgia is 165 km long and 35 km wide.

When the chunk broke off it was about 175 km long and 50 km wide – bigger than Luxembourg.

"It is absolutely huge and it’s the largest iceberg around in the Southern Ocean," said Dr Sue Cook, a glaciologist from the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, as quoted by The Guardian.&nbsp;

She said the gigantic iceberg is following a trajectory similar to many others, but its final destination is difficult to predict because of the currents, weather parents and iceberg's shape.&nbsp;

"It’s lasted for three years which is longer than was expected," Cook said.

A huge iceberg from the Antarctic that has the size of a small country is approaching towards the island of South Georgia, triggering concerns that it could affect the economy and wildlife of the British territory.

A huge iceberg from the Antarctic that has the size of a small country is approaching towards the island of South Georgia, triggering concerns that it could affect the economy and wildlife of the British territory. Iceberg A-68A, which is of the same size South Georgia separated from the Larsen C ice shelf on the east of Antarctica’s peninsula in July 2017. Also read | Antarctic Peninsula at warmest in decades, study says It is currently 150 km (93 miles) long and 48 km (30 miles) wide and is nearly 500 km away from the island. Also read | Antarctica's most important glaciers depleting faster than ever: Study After losing a piece early, A-68A lost another in April to come at the current dimensions. South Georgia is 165 km long and 35 km wide. When the chunk broke off it was about 175 km long and 50 km wide – bigger than Luxembourg. "It is absolutely huge and it’s the largest iceberg around in the Southern Ocean," said Dr Sue Cook, a glaciologist from the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, as quoted by The Guardian. She said the gigantic iceberg is following a trajectory similar to many others, but its final destination is difficult to predict because of the currents, weather parents and iceberg's shape. "It’s lasted for three years which is longer than was expected," Cook said.

Giant iceberg nearly size of South Georgia approaches towards same island

The year 2020 is the hottest in the Antarctic Peninsula in the past three decades, a study by the University of Santiago de Chile has said.

The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of Antarctica, where there are scientific and military bases from several countries, including Argentina, Chile and Britain.

Temperatures reached between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius (35.6 and 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on the peninsula between January and August, which is the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica, according to researchers at the Chilean Air Force's Frei Base on King George Island.

Those temperatures are "more than 2 degrees Celsius over typical values," climatologist Raul Cordero said in a statement released by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH).&nbsp;In addition, the average maximum temperature in the far northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula so far this year has been above 0 degrees. This had not happened for 31 years.

Researchers have termed that fact "alarming," since it could indicate that the rapid rate of ocean warming observed in the area at the end of the 20th century is resuming.

The high Southern Hemisphere winter temperatures are in contrast, however, with those registered between August and September, which reached -16.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest since 1970.

The year 2020 is the hottest in the Antarctic Peninsula in the past three decades, a study by the University of Santiago de Chile has said. The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of Antarctica, where there are scientific and military bases from several countries, including Argentina, Chile and Britain.

The year 2020 is the hottest in the Antarctic Peninsula in the past three decades, a study by the University of Santiago de Chile has said. The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of Antarctica, where there are scientific and military bases from several countries, including Argentina, Chile and Britain. Temperatures reached between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius (35.6 and 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on the peninsula between January and August, which is the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica, according to researchers at the Chilean Air Force's Frei Base on King George Island. Those temperatures are "more than 2 degrees Celsius over typical values," climatologist Raul Cordero said in a statement released by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH). In addition, the average maximum temperature in the far northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula so far this year has been above 0 degrees. This had not happened for 31 years. Researchers have termed that fact "alarming," since it could indicate that the rapid rate of ocean warming observed in the area at the end of the 20th century is resuming. The high Southern Hemisphere winter temperatures are in contrast, however, with those registered between August and September, which reached -16.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest since 1970.

Antarctic Peninsula at warmest in decades, study says

Antarctic air reaching&nbsp;Australia's south east triggered snowfall down to low altitudes across several states on Saturday, with many people out enjoying the rare event despite wild winds and heavy snow that closed some roads.

Pictures of snowy towns and landscapes across New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, the&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;Capital Territory and the island state of Tasmania flooded social media as locals rushed to capture the surprise early spring snowfall.

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Does it normally snow in Australia in August? Seems odd… <a href="https://t.co/EYHOqYj2kh">https://t.co/EYHOqYj2kh</a>
— Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMichaelMoran/status/1297065929440886784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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According to the NSW Bureau of Meteorology, Australia’s capital city of Canberra is set to experience its “coldest day” of the year.

Over one metre (3.3 feet) of snow had fallen in a number of alpine regions, and the cold weather would likely remain for several days, the bureau said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Snow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Snow</a> has made for some beautiful scenes at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MtMacedon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MtMacedon</a> this morning. ❄️ These wintry conditions are set to hang around for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vic</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSW</a> all weekend. Is there more snow on the way for you? You can find out by using <a href="https://t.co/CX9zhCmju3">https://t.co/CX9zhCmju3</a>. <a href="https://t.co/gmuicINPyM">pic.twitter.com/gmuicINPyM</a>
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) <a href="https://twitter.com/BOM_au/status/1296940464780845056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The wintry blast caused temperatures to fall overnight to as low as 2 Degree Celsius in Victoria&nbsp;and 3.8 Degree Celsius in Melbourne.

The sudden snowfall in the east coast has been caused by an ‘Antarctic blob’, a strong and powerful weather system, which has also brought icy winds, thunder and hail to elevated areas in the region.

The blizzard-like conditions prompted local authorities to close several roads across New South Wales’ Central West and Southern Highlands.

Antarctic air reaching Australia's south east triggered snowfall down to low altitudes across several states on Saturday, with many people out enjoying the rare event despite wild winds and heavy snow that closed some roads.

Antarctic air reaching Australia's south east triggered snowfall down to low altitudes across several states on Saturday, with many people out enjoying the rare event despite wild winds and heavy snow that closed some roads. Pictures of snowy towns and landscapes across New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, the Australia Capital Territory and the island state of Tasmania flooded social media as locals rushed to capture the surprise early spring snowfall. Does it normally snow in Australia in August? Seems odd… https://t.co/EYHOqYj2kh — Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) August 22, 2020 × According to the NSW Bureau of Meteorology, Australia’s capital city of Canberra is set to experience its “coldest day” of the year. Over one metre (3.3 feet) of snow had fallen in a number of alpine regions, and the cold weather would likely remain for several days, the bureau said. #Snow has made for some beautiful scenes at #MtMacedon this morning. ❄️ These wintry conditions are set to hang around for #Vic and #NSW all weekend. Is there more snow on the way for you? You can find out by using https://t.co/CX9zhCmju3. pic.twitter.com/gmuicINPyM — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) August 21, 2020 × The wintry blast caused temperatures to fall overnight to as low as 2 Degree Celsius in Victoria and 3.8 Degree Celsius in Melbourne. The sudden snowfall in the east coast has been caused by an ‘Antarctic blob’, a strong and powerful weather system, which has also brought icy winds, thunder and hail to elevated areas in the region. The blizzard-like conditions prompted local authorities to close several roads across New South Wales’ Central West and Southern Highlands.

Polar winds trigger rare snowfall across southeast Australia

According to a study, the South Pole has been heating up three times the global rate.

Scientists had earlier believed that the South Pole was immune to warming due to its cold temperature but a new study in Nature revealed&nbsp;that "the South Pole has experienced a record-high statistically significant warming of 0.61 ± 0.34 °C per decade".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/scientists-prepare-a-map-of-antarctica-turning-green-due-to-climate-change-300122">Also Read: Scientists prepare a map of Antarctica turning green due to climate change</a>

Researchers in the United States, New Zealand and Britain while analysing weather data of the past 60 years concluded that the South Pole was experiencing "accelerated warming".

The research showed that the region had undergone warming of more than 1.83 C since 1989 worrying nature experts. The study found that warm ocean temperatures had over the decades lowered atmospheric pressure over the Weddell Sea in the southern Atlantic leading to the incease in the flow of warm air directly over the South Pole.

The researchers attributed the change in climate at the South Pole to the phenomenon known as the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) when the cycle lasts for about 15-30 years oscillating between "positive" and "negative" state.

Nature said: "These results underscore the intimate linkage of interior Antarctic climate to tropical variability," while adding,"this study shows that atmospheric internal variability can induce extreme regional climate change over the Antarctic interior, which has masked anthropogenic warming signal there during the twenty-first century."

According to a study, the South Pole has been heating up three times the global rate. Scientists had earlier believed that the South Pole was immune to warming due to its cold temperature but a new study in Nature revealed that "the South Pole has experienced a record-high statistically significant warming of 0.

According to a study, the South Pole has been heating up three times the global rate. Scientists had earlier believed that the South Pole was immune to warming due to its cold temperature but a new study in Nature revealed that "the South Pole has experienced a record-high statistically significant warming of 0.61 ± 0.34 °C per decade". Also Read: Scientists prepare a map of Antarctica turning green due to climate change Researchers in the United States, New Zealand and Britain while analysing weather data of the past 60 years concluded that the South Pole was experiencing "accelerated warming". The research showed that the region had undergone warming of more than 1.83 C since 1989 worrying nature experts. The study found that warm ocean temperatures had over the decades lowered atmospheric pressure over the Weddell Sea in the southern Atlantic leading to the incease in the flow of warm air directly over the South Pole. The researchers attributed the change in climate at the South Pole to the phenomenon known as the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) when the cycle lasts for about 15-30 years oscillating between "positive" and "negative" state. Nature said: "These results underscore the intimate linkage of interior Antarctic climate to tropical variability," while adding,"this study shows that atmospheric internal variability can induce extreme regional climate change over the Antarctic interior, which has masked anthropogenic warming signal there during the twenty-first century."

South Pole warming faster than rest of Earth: Study

Surprising images of Antarctica without snow emerged from Chile as the southern tip of the South American country near Antarctica experiences unusually high temperatures amid concern for global warming.

This is what Antarctica looks like without snow

Chinstrap penguins in peril: Colonies in Western Antarctic decline as global warming worsens

British endurance swimmer and United Nations patron of oceans Lewis Gordon Pugh braved the freezing temperatures of East Antarctica, swimming in its icy rivers, to raise awareness about climate change.

Swimmer raises awareness on climate change in freezing Antarctic waters

Antarctica has lost a staggering three trillion tonnes of ice since 1992, according to a landmark study published Wednesday that suggests the frozen continent could redraw Earth's coastlines if global warming continues unchecked.

Two-fifths of that ice loss occurred in the last five years, a three-fold increase in the pace at which Antarctica is shedding its kilometres-thick casing, a consortium of 84 scientists reported in the journal Nature.

The findings should dispel any lingering doubts that the continent's ice mass is shrinking, the authors said.

They also highlight the existential threat facing low-lying coastal cities and communities home to hundreds of millions of people.

"We now have an unequivocal picture of what's happening in Antarctica," said co-lead author Eric Rignot, a scientist at NASA's Jet propulsion Laboratory who has been tracking Earth's ice sheets for two decades.

"We view these results as another ringing alarm for action to slow the warming of our planet."

Up to now, scientists have struggled in determining whether Antarctica has accumulated more mass through snowfall than it loses in meltwater run-off and ice flows into the ocean. &nbsp;

But more than two decades of satellite data -- the new findings draw from 24 separate space-based surveys -- have finally yielded a more complete picture. &nbsp;

Covering twice the area of the continental United States, Antarctica is blanketed by enough ice pack to lift global oceans by nearly 60 metres (210 feet).&nbsp;

More than 90 per cent of that frozen water sits atop East Antarctica, which has remained mostly stable even as climate change has driven up Earth's average surface temperature by a full degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit).&nbsp;

A step increase

Some studies had suggested a net gain in mass over recent decades.

West Antarctica, however, has proven far more vulnerable to global warming, especially the Antarctic Peninsula, where more than 6,500 square kilometres (2,500 square miles) of ice shelves have sheared off into the sea since 1995.

Already floating, ice shelves breaking off into icebergs do not add to sea level. But massive glaciers on West Antarctica slowly gliding seaward hold enough water to push oceans up by 3.5 metres (11 feet).&nbsp;

Two of these glaciers -- Pine Island and Thwaites -- have accelerated and are today seen as unstable. Together, they act as corks holding back ice mass further inland from falling into the ocean.&nbsp;

Nearly all of the mass shed over the last quarter century has come from West Antarctica, the study found.&nbsp;

Ice loss of 2.7 trillion tonnes since 1992 added about eight millimetres to sea level.&nbsp;

"Whilst there's still considerable uncertainty about East Antarctica mass balance, it is increasingly clear that ice loss from West Antarctica has accelerated," said Kate Hendry, a researcher at the University of Bristol, commenting on the findings.

On current trends, Antarctica could become the single largest source of sea level rise, ahead of runoff from the Greenland ice sheet and mountain glaciers, and the expansion of ocean water as it warms, the study found.&nbsp;

Oceans are currently rising by 3.4 millimetres (0.13 inches) per year. Since 1993, the global ocean watermark has gone up by 84.8 mm (3.3 inches).

By century's end, sea level -- compared to a pre-industrial benchmark -- could increase from a few dozen centimetres to a metre or more, depending in part on efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;

Under any scenario, oceans will continue to rise for several centuries, scientists say.

Deeply concerning

In the two decades prior to 2012, Antarctica lost about 76 billion tonnes annually, according to the new findings. Since then, that figure has jumped, on average, to 219 billion tonnes. &nbsp;

"There has been a step increase in ice losses from Antarctica during the past decade," said Leeds University professor Andrew Shepherd, co-leader of the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Exercise (ISMBE).&nbsp;

"The continent is causing sea levels to rise faster today than at any time in the past 25 years."

Scientists not involved with the study lauded its methodology.

"The power of this research is that it brings together independent methods and results from a collection of different teams throughout the world," noted Twila Moon, a scientist at the US National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado.

They also said governments should take note.

"The outcome is deeply concerning," commented Imperial College London professor Martin Siegert, who did not take part in the study.&nbsp;

"We appear to be on a pathway to substantial ice-sheet loss in the decades ahead, with longer term consequences for enhanced sea level rise.

"If we aren't already alert to the dangers posed by climate change, this should be an enormous wake-up call," he added.

The finding was reported by a consortium of 84 scientists reported in the journal Nature. 'We view these results as another ringing alarm for action to slow the warming of our planet,' they said

Antarctica has lost a staggering three trillion tonnes of ice since 1992, according to a landmark study published Wednesday that suggests the frozen continent could redraw Earth's coastlines if global warming continues unchecked. Two-fifths of that ice loss occurred in the last five years, a three-fold increase in the pace at which Antarctica is shedding its kilometres-thick casing, a consortium of 84 scientists reported in the journal Nature. The findings should dispel any lingering doubts that the continent's ice mass is shrinking, the authors said. They also highlight the existential threat facing low-lying coastal cities and communities home to hundreds of millions of people. "We now have an unequivocal picture of what's happening in Antarctica," said co-lead author Eric Rignot, a scientist at NASA's Jet propulsion Laboratory who has been tracking Earth's ice sheets for two decades. "We view these results as another ringing alarm for action to slow the warming of our planet." Up to now, scientists have struggled in determining whether Antarctica has accumulated more mass through snowfall than it loses in meltwater run-off and ice flows into the ocean. But more than two decades of satellite data -- the new findings draw from 24 separate space-based surveys -- have finally yielded a more complete picture. Covering twice the area of the continental United States, Antarctica is blanketed by enough ice pack to lift global oceans by nearly 60 metres (210 feet). More than 90 per cent of that frozen water sits atop East Antarctica, which has remained mostly stable even as climate change has driven up Earth's average surface temperature by a full degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). A step increase Some studies had suggested a net gain in mass over recent decades. West Antarctica, however, has proven far more vulnerable to global warming, especially the Antarctic Peninsula, where more than 6,500 square kilometres (2,500 square miles) of ice shelves have sheared off into the sea since 1995. Already floating, ice shelves breaking off into icebergs do not add to sea level. But massive glaciers on West Antarctica slowly gliding seaward hold enough water to push oceans up by 3.5 metres (11 feet). Two of these glaciers -- Pine Island and Thwaites -- have accelerated and are today seen as unstable. Together, they act as corks holding back ice mass further inland from falling into the ocean. Nearly all of the mass shed over the last quarter century has come from West Antarctica, the study found. Ice loss of 2.7 trillion tonnes since 1992 added about eight millimetres to sea level. "Whilst there's still considerable uncertainty about East Antarctica mass balance, it is increasingly clear that ice loss from West Antarctica has accelerated," said Kate Hendry, a researcher at the University of Bristol, commenting on the findings. On current trends, Antarctica could become the single largest source of sea level rise, ahead of runoff from the Greenland ice sheet and mountain glaciers, and the expansion of ocean water as it warms, the study found. Oceans are currently rising by 3.4 millimetres (0.13 inches) per year. Since 1993, the global ocean watermark has gone up by 84.8 mm (3.3 inches). By century's end, sea level -- compared to a pre-industrial benchmark -- could increase from a few dozen centimetres to a metre or more, depending in part on efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Under any scenario, oceans will continue to rise for several centuries, scientists say. Deeply concerning In the two decades prior to 2012, Antarctica lost about 76 billion tonnes annually, according to the new findings. Since then, that figure has jumped, on average, to 219 billion tonnes. "There has been a step increase in ice losses from Antarctica during the past decade," said Leeds University professor Andrew Shepherd, co-leader of the Ice Sheet Mass Balance Exercise (ISMBE). "The continent is causing sea levels to rise faster today than at any time in the past 25 years." Scientists not involved with the study lauded its methodology. "The power of this research is that it brings together independent methods and results from a collection of different teams throughout the world," noted Twila Moon, a scientist at the US National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado. They also said governments should take note. "The outcome is deeply concerning," commented Imperial College London professor Martin Siegert, who did not take part in the study. "We appear to be on a pathway to substantial ice-sheet loss in the decades ahead, with longer term consequences for enhanced sea level rise. "If we aren't already alert to the dangers posed by climate change, this should be an enormous wake-up call," he added.

Antarctica ice melting three times faster than earlier, could redraw Earth's coastlines

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