What’s Beneath All That Ice In Antarctica? New Map Reveals The Hidden World And Possibly The Future

Yahoo! News - Mar 24th, 2025

In a groundbreaking development, international scientists have unveiled Bedmap3, a highly detailed map of Antarctica's sub-ice topography, revealing hidden mountains and canyons. This map, a product of over 60 years of data collection from planes, satellites, ships, and dog sleds, represents a significant advancement in understanding the continent's rock bed. Led by the British Antarctic Survey and published in Scientific Data, the map includes 82 million data points and recent surveys from East Antarctica. The findings highlight the continent's thickest ice in Wilkes Land, challenging previous beliefs that it was in the Astrolabe Basin.

The implications of Bedmap3 are profound, particularly in the context of climate change. Dr. Hamish Pritchard, a glaciologist at BAS, emphasizes that the map provides essential information for modeling how Antarctic ice will respond to rising temperatures. The map shows how the underlying terrain influences ice flow, potentially accelerating in certain areas. Co-author Peter Fretwell notes that the Antarctic Ice Sheet is thicker and more vulnerable than previously thought, with a greater volume of ice grounded below sea level, posing increased risks of melting due to warm ocean water incursion. This new understanding suggests a more susceptible Antarctica under climate change scenarios.

Climate Change Antarctica Bedmap3 British Antarctic Survey Hamish Pritchard Peter Fretwell Ice Sheets Topography Scientific Data

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and accurate overview of the Bedmap3 project, highlighting its significance in understanding Antarctica's ice sheet and its implications for climate change research. It effectively conveys the importance of the new map and its potential impact on scientific models predicting ice flow and melting. The article is well-balanced, incorporating expert opinions and maintaining neutrality in its presentation. However, it could benefit from more detailed transparency regarding the methodology and data sources, as well as additional perspectives from independent experts. Overall, the article is timely, engaging, and informative, making it a valuable contribution to the discourse on environmental science and climate change.

Accuracy

The article is highly accurate in its presentation of the facts surrounding the Bedmap3 project. It correctly identifies the map as the third iteration, following efforts that began in 2001, and highlights the use of over 60 years of data collection from various sources. The claim that the thickest ice is located in an unnamed canyon in Wilkes Land, rather than the previously thought Astrolabe Basin, is also supported by scientific reports. Furthermore, the article accurately conveys the significance of Bedmap3 in climate research, emphasizing the map's role in predicting ice flow and potential melting due to warming temperatures. However, while the article is factually correct, it could benefit from more detailed citations or references to the specific studies or data sources used to compile Bedmap3.

Balance

The article maintains a balanced perspective by focusing on the scientific and environmental implications of the Bedmap3 project. It includes quotes from multiple scientists involved in the research, which adds depth to the narrative and avoids presenting a singular viewpoint. However, the article could enhance balance by incorporating perspectives from independent experts not directly involved in the study, which would provide additional context and potentially challenge or affirm the findings presented. The focus remains primarily on the scientific aspects, which might overlook broader geopolitical or economic implications of the findings.

Clarity

The article is well-written and easy to understand, with a clear structure that logically presents the information. It begins with an engaging introduction that captures the reader's attention and follows with a detailed explanation of the Bedmap3 project and its implications. The use of analogies, such as comparing ice flow to syrup over a rock cake, helps clarify complex scientific concepts for a general audience. The language is neutral and objective, contributing to the article's overall clarity.

Source quality

The article references credible sources, including the British Antarctic Survey and quotes from scientists directly involved in the Bedmap3 project. These sources are authoritative and lend credibility to the article's claims. However, the article does not provide specific citations or links to the journal 'Scientific Data' where the study was published. Including direct references to the study or additional expert commentary could further enhance the source quality.

Transparency

The article does a good job of explaining the significance of the Bedmap3 project and its potential impact on climate research. However, it lacks transparency in terms of methodology details, such as how the data was specifically collected and analyzed over the 60-year period. While it mentions the use of planes, satellites, ships, and sleds, a more thorough explanation of the data integration process would improve transparency. Additionally, the article could benefit from disclosing any potential conflicts of interest or funding sources related to the research.