Ice melting in Antarctica during summer has increased almost ten-fold in the past 600 years, with the most severe increases coming in the last 50 years.
A 364-metre long ice core from James Ross Island in the Antarctic Peninsula was used to measure the past temperatures in the area. The scientists measured the thickness of the melt layers contained in the core and were able to examine the relationship between changes in temperature in the region and levels of ice melt.
The research has enabled scientists to develop a greater understanding of temperature effects on snow and ice melt and gives an important insight into the glacier retreat and ice shelf loss currently occurring in the area.
Read more at Australian National University