A new study suggests that rising temperatures in Antarctica could cause pristine meteorites to sink further into the ice, potentially leading to their loss. Researchers argue that efforts to find these space rocks need to be intensified before they disappear for good.
Hundreds of thousands of pristine meteorites are currently littered across, or just below, Antarctica 's icy surface. But most of these space rocks could be lost forever over the next few decades as they sink further into the ice due to rising temperatures , a new study suggests.
Antarctica's blue ice areas are, therefore, some of the best places in the world to hunt for meteorites. There are about 600 of these areas in Antarctica, which cover around 1% of the continent's surface area. By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.However, just because these meteorites lie at the surface doesn't mean they stay there forever. Due to their dark color, the space rocks soak up sunlight, which heats them up. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem. But at high surface air temperatures, this warming may melt the surrounding ice and cause meteorites to sink below the surface.
Antarctica Meteorites Rising Temperatures Ice Study Space Rocks
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