New Study Finds The Larsen Ice Shelf at Antarctic Peninsula Has Cooled More Than 2°C Since 1991

Temperature stations along the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula indicate “marked statistically signficant cooling” has occurred since 1991, with the Larsen Ice Shelf cooling at a rate of -1.1°C per decade.

Image Source: Bozkurt et al., 2020

Bozkurt et al., 2020

“Observed near-surface temperature trends indicate important contrasts between summer and autumn for the period 1991−2015. A notable summer cooling exists on the northern peninsula (Frei and Marambio stations) and leeward side (Larsen Ice Shelf station). The largest summer cooling trend is observed at the Larsen Ice Shelf station [−0.92°C (10 yr)−1, p < 0.05]. On the other hand, in autumn, San Martin station on the central windward coasts exhibits the largest warming trend [+0.64°C (10 yr)−1 , p < 0.05]. Autumn warming is also notable at the other stations except the Larsen Ice Shelf station. At the annual time scale, there is a clear warming trend at San Martin station [+0.52°C (10 yr)−1 , p < 0.05], whereas at a close latitude on the leeward side the Larsen Ice Shelf station exhibits a marked statistically significant cooling [−1.1°C (10 yr)−1].”