East Antarctica—The World’s Biggest Ice Cube

• Main Author: Summerhayes, Colin
• Format: Book Part
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University PressNew York 2023
• Subjects: Dronning Maud Land; East Antarctica; Southern Ocean; Totten Glacier; Antarc*; Antarctica; ice core; Ice Sheet; Ice Shelves; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197627983.003.0003; https://academic.oup.com/book/chapter-pdf/58047793/oso-9780197627983-chapter-3.pdf

Abstract This chapter tours East Antarctica, starting with geographic discovery, and examining the science currently carried out there, including the drilling of the Dronning Maud Land Ice Core, which provides a climate history for the past 150,000 years. Beneath the ice sheet lies a hidden mountain range—the Gamburtsev Mountains. A visit to an emperor penguin colony provides insights into the life and possible future of these animals as the climate warms. On balance, East Antarctica remains cold and is not losing much ice. Warm ocean water is beginning to penetrate beneath the Totten Glacier, which could raise sea level by 3–4 meters (10–13 ft) if it melts. Melting of ice shelves from beneath will flood the Southern Ocean with a cold freshwater layer that will extend the area of sea ice, keeping the climate cool perhaps for a couple of centuries. Freshwater coastal lakes provide surprises, as do frozen lakes inland.