(Press-News.org) Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have gained unique insight into the mechanisms behind the collapse of Antarctic ice shelves, which are crucial for sea level rise in the Northern Hemisphere. The discovery of old aerial photos has provided an unparalleled dataset that can improve predictions of sea level rise and how we should prioritise coastal protection and other forms of climate adaptation.
On 28 November 1966, an American aeroplane flies over the Antarctic Peninsula just south of the southernmost tip of Chile.
On board is a photographer, probably from the US Navy, whose job is to map the Antarctic landscape. But it turns out that the photographer is also documenting a very special situation that is in progress. He shoots an aerial photo of the Wordie Ice Shelf, which, 30 years later, has almost vanished after a total collapse.
The consequence of this collapse was that the ‘plug’ that held large amounts of glacier ice broke off, leaving the ice sheet floating freely into the sea.
Fortunately, Wordie is a relatively small ice shelf and the sea level rise it has caused can be measured in millimetres. But there are much larger ice shelves in Antarctica, which, like Wordie, could collapse due to climate change. Just the two largest ice shelves, Ronne and Ross, are believed to hold enough ice to account for sea level rises of up to five metres.
If, in this context, we think that Antarctica is far away, we need to understand that the melting of ice in the Southern Hemisphere will cause sea levels to rise in places like Denmark in the Northern Hemisphere, due to the effects of gravity. A new research study provides insights that can help identify signs of incipient collapse in these ice shelves and assess the stage of collapse.
The photo of Wordie from 28 November 1966 - the first in a long series of images that continually document the collapse of the Wordie Ice Shelf through the 1960s - has become a valuable first data point in a study of the ice shelf collapse recently completed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen.
In their paper, now published in Nature Communications, they present a unique dataset based on the vast archives of old aerial images combined with modern satellite observations, which, for the first time, shows the collapse of an ice shelf as a constant evolution in a long time series. A critical insight that can be used to improve scientists' understanding of ice shelves and the mechanisms behind their collapse.
"We have identified several signs of incipient ice shelf collapse that we expect will be observed in other ice shelves, but perhaps more importantly, the dataset has given us a multitude of pinning points that can reveal how far advanced a collapse is. It's a completely new tool that we can use to do reality checks on ice shelves that are at risk of collapsing or already in the process of collapsing," says Postdoc Mads Dømgaard from the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, who is lead author of the study.
According to the researchers, this knowledge will enhance computer models of sea level rise and lead to more accurate predictions of when the water will rise, allowing for prioritisation of investments in climate change adaptation in the most effective way.
Warmer seawater and melting under the ice were most conclusive
The hundreds of historical aerial photos were analysed using a technique known as structure-from-motion photogrammetry. The method has enabled scientists to accurately reconstruct ice thickness, as well as its extent, surface structure and flow velocity, dating back to the 1960s.
In this way, the researchers analysed the collapse of Wordie and learned more about the factors involved. It was previously assumed that a warmer atmosphere was the primary factor leading to the collapse, and, similarly, that the formation of meltwater lakes on the ice surface had also played a part. The new study has disproved both assumptions.
Instead, the researchers highlight melting under the ice where the sea and ice meet as definitive factors.
"Our findings show that the primary driver of Wordie's collapse is rising sea temperatures, which have generated the melting beneath the floating ice shelf," Mads Dømgaard says.
Collapse is tougher than we thought – like it or not
Furthermore, the study's findings have already altered the foundation of scientists' knowledge about ice shelf collapse. According to co-author Anders Anker Bjørk, the new data advances our understanding of how and at what speed these collapses occur.
"The tentative conclusion from our findings is that ice shelf collapse may be slower than we thought. This means that the risk of a very rapid development of violent sea level rise from melting in Antarctica is slightly lower, based on knowledge from studies like this one," says Anders Anker Bjørk, Assistant Professor at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management.
But there is also a flip side to this, he explains:
"It was already a supertanker that needed to be turned to stall the melting of ice in Antarctica, but our data shows a collapse process that is even more protracted than previously assumed. And this longer process will make it harder to reverse the trend once it has started. This is an unambiguous signal to prioritise halting greenhouse gas emissions now rather than sometime in the future," Anders Anker Bjørk says.
*
Facts: ice shelves and sea level rise
Ice shelves, like Wordie, act as a kind of brake on glaciers flowing from the ice sheet towards the sea. When an ice shelf vanishes, the glaciers lose this support and can begin to float and melt more rapidly.
As the ice mass of ice shelves is already partially or wholly in the sea, their direct contribution to sea level rise is limited. On the other hand, the glacier ice they retain is on land and, therefore, every cubic metre affects the water level of the world's oceans.
Although Antarctica is far away, areas like Denmark are being affected significantly by sea level rise caused by ice shelf collapses resulting from gravitational forces. Before Antarctica melts, its ice mass helps pull sea waters southwards. When the ice has melted into the sea, the gravitational field has changed, causing the oceans to the north to rise proportionally more.
Facts: How dusty old photos became important data
In the study, the researchers used images from multiple overflights of Wordie, shot between 1966 and 1969.
In analysing the historical aerial photos, the researchers employed the structure-from-motion photogrammetry method, which utilises overlapping photos to calculate accurate three-dimensional models of landscapes or objects.
By analysing differences in perspective between the photos, it’s possible to measure heights and distances with high accuracy. This allows tracing how the ice surface, thickness and velocity have changed over time.
Behind the Research:
The following researchers contributed to the scientific article:
Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark:
Mads Dømgaard
Jonas K. Andersen
Anders A. Bjørk
Université Grenoble Alpes, France:
Romain Millan
Eric Rignot (Also affiliated with: University of California and California Institute of Technology, USA)
University of California, Irvine, Department of Earth System Science, USA:
Bernd Scheuchl
Delft University of Technology, Department of Geoscience and Remote Sensing, The Netherlands:
Maaike Izeboud
Université de Toulouse, France:
Maud Bernat
END
Old aerial photos give scientists a new tool to predict sea level rise
Copenhagen researchers have gained new insight into the mechanisms of Antarctic ice shelf collapse. Old aerial photos have provided an unparalleled dataset that can improve predictions of sea level rise and change how we prioritize climate adaption
2025-07-03
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
20 million for courageous research at ISTA
2025-07-03
The private Swiss NOMIS Foundation is investing €20 million to support research at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg—a partnership that focuses on daring science. Starting in 2026, projects will be funded for five years that break new ground and therefore have the potential to deliver substantial leaps in our knowledge.
“We are thrilled to take our long-standing, successful collaboration with the NOMIS Foundation to a new level,” says ISTA President Martin Hetzer. “With this joint program, ...
Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of the greenhouse gas methane
2025-07-03
Ship traffic in shallow areas, such as ports, can trigger large methane emissions by just moving through the water. The researchers in a study, led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, observed twenty times higher methane emissions in the shipping lane compared to nearby undisturbed areas. Despite the fact that methane is a greenhouse gas that is 27 times as powerful as carbon dioxide, these emissions are often overlooked with today's measurement methods.
"Our measurements show that ship passages trigger clear pulses of high methane fluxes from the water to the atmosphere. This is caused by pressure changes and mixing ...
Optimizing laser irradiation: An in-silico meta-analysis of skin discoloration treatment
2025-07-03
In recent years, the application of picosecond laser (PSL) treatment for skin discoloration caused by nevus of Ota has been advancing in the fields of dermatology, plastic surgery, and cosmetic surgery. However, setting appropriate irradiation conditions is necessary to achieve effectiveness. This poses a challenge as previous meta-analyses on laser treatment research did not account for proper laser irradiation levels. Further, such analyses included results from cases with over- and under-irradiation, prompting the need for a more accurate evaluation.
A research team led by Postdoctoral Fellow Yu Shimojo, Specially Appointed Professor Toshiyuki Ozawa, and Professor Daisuke ...
Climate crisis could force wild vanilla plants and pollinating insects apart, threatening global supply
2025-07-03
Vanilla flavoring is widely used in food, pharmaceutics, and cosmetics. The primary source, Vanilla planifolia, however, is vulnerable to diseases, drought, and heat – stressors expected to become more frequent under climate change. Wild Vanilla species offer a genetic reservoir of crop wild relatives ensuring the future of the vanilla crop. Scientists have now examined how climate change could cause mismatches in habitat overlap of wild vanilla and their pollinating insects.
“Climate change may lead to a reduced habitat overlap between Vanilla orchid species and their pollinators, resulting in plant-pollinator decoupling that negatively ...
Teens report spending 21% of each driving trip looking at their phone
2025-07-03
A new study offers a stark reminder of how pervasive cell phone use while driving is for young people, as findings demonstrate teen drivers spend an average of 21.1% of each trip viewing their mobile behind the wheel.
In a questionnaire completed by more than 1,100 teen drivers across the US, the young motorists estimated that 26.5% of these glances were for two seconds or longer, a duration which dramatically increases their risk for a crash.
Results, published in the peer-reviewed journal Traffic Injury Prevention, show the most common reason for the distraction was entertainment (65%), followed by texting (40%) and navigation (30%).
“Distracted ...
Study explores the ‘social norms’ of distracted driving among teens
2025-07-03
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers offers a stark reminder of how pervasive cell phone use while driving is among young people. The study team developed and disseminated a questionnaire to over 1,100 participants and conducted 20 interviews for high school students to identify the factors influencing them to engage in distracted driving. They found an average of 21% of teen drivers drive distracted and share other insights behind the behavior. Their results are published in Traffic Injury Prevention. ...
Diver-operated microscope brings hidden coral biology into focus
2025-07-03
The intricate, hidden processes that sustain coral life are being revealed through a new microscope developed by scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
The diver-operated microscope — called the Benthic Underwater Microscope imaging PAM, or BUMP — incorporates pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) light techniques to offer an unprecedented look at coral photosynthesis on micro-scales.
In a new study, researchers describe how the BUMP imaging system makes it possible to study the health and physiology of coral reefs in their natural habitat, ...
Enhancing the “feel-good” factor of urban vegetation using AI and street view images
2025-07-03
Osaka, Japan – The benefits of urban green spaces in cities, in terms of ecological sustainability, climate modification, and human well-being, have been known for decades. More recently, additional economic and restorative payoffs from diverse and colorful plantings have been recognized. Now, a research team from Japan has developed a new method to identify vegetation color, structure, and seasonal changes in urban settings.
In a study published in Landscape Ecology, researchers at The University of Osaka reveal an innovative approach to capture seasonal changes in urban plant species. This method combines artificial intelligence ...
A single genetic mutation may have made humans more vulnerable to cancer than chimpanzees
2025-07-03
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — New research from UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has uncovered an evolutionary change that may explain why certain immune cells in humans are less effective at fighting solid tumors compared to non-human primates. This insight could lead to more powerful cancer treatments.
The study was published in Nature Communications. It revealed a tiny genetic difference in an immune protein called Fas Ligand (FasL) between humans and non-human primates. This genetic mutation makes the FasL protein vulnerable to being disabled by plasmin, a tumor-associated ...
Innovative nanocomposite hydrogel shows promise for cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis treatment
2025-07-03
A research team from Northwest University, China, has developed a breakthrough nano-composite hydrogel system to address the dual challenges of inflammation and cartilage damage in osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of joint disability worldwide. Published in Engineering, the study confirms that the dual-drug-loaded hydrogel promotes cartilage repair through synergistic immune regulation and chondrocyte differentiation, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for OA.
OA is characterized by persistent inflammation and impaired cartilage regeneration, with existing treatments failing ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
A key group of cerebral amygdala neurons identified in anxiety and social disorders
What the sea spider genome reveals about their bizarre anatomy
More people need to know how to prevent SIDS
Many people choose unemployment benefits over poorly paid jobs
Certain young people more prone to anxiety and depression
Review article highlights urgent need for aflatoxin control strategies in Pakistan’s feed supply chain
Researchers reveal key differences in STING inhibition between humans and mice
Researchers generate lung cells from mouse fibroblasts in just 7 to 10 days
Prizewinner’s research reveals how immune responses to friendly skin microbiota could pave way for novel vaccination responses
Old aerial photos give scientists a new tool to predict sea level rise
20 million for courageous research at ISTA
Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of the greenhouse gas methane
Optimizing laser irradiation: An in-silico meta-analysis of skin discoloration treatment
Climate crisis could force wild vanilla plants and pollinating insects apart, threatening global supply
Teens report spending 21% of each driving trip looking at their phone
Study explores the ‘social norms’ of distracted driving among teens
Diver-operated microscope brings hidden coral biology into focus
Enhancing the “feel-good” factor of urban vegetation using AI and street view images
A single genetic mutation may have made humans more vulnerable to cancer than chimpanzees
Innovative nanocomposite hydrogel shows promise for cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis treatment
2025 Guangci Laboratory Medicine Innovation and Development Conference
LabMed Discovery is included in the ICI World Journals database
LabMed Discovery is included in the China Open Access Journal (COAJ) database
Vaccination support program reduces pneumonia-related mortality by 25 percent among the elderly
Over decades, a healthy lifestyle outperforms metformin in preventing onset of Type 2 diabetes
Mental health disorders, malaria, and heart disease most affected by covid pandemic
Green transition will boost UK productivity
Billions voted in 2024, but major new report exposes cracks in global democracy
Researchers find “forever chemicals” impact the developing male brain
Quantum leap in precision sensing across technologies
[Press-News.org] Old aerial photos give scientists a new tool to predict sea level riseCopenhagen researchers have gained new insight into the mechanisms of Antarctic ice shelf collapse. Old aerial photos have provided an unparalleled dataset that can improve predictions of sea level rise and change how we prioritize climate adaption