Traces of climate change observed on the Shoesmith glacier

Turkish scientists conducted examinations on the Shoesmith glacier, located on Horseshoe Island, as part of the 8th National Antarctic Science Expedition held this year.

The 8th National Antarctic Science Expedition, carried out under the auspices of the Presidency, under the authority of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, and coordinated by the TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute, is ongoing.

Drawing attention to the rapid melting of glaciers in polar regions as a result of global climate change, the team entered several of the thousands of crevasses found in the glacier to observe the depth and speed of the melting.

The work carried out on the Shoesmith glacier on Horseshoe Island, where the studies are continuing, clearly revealed the effects of climate change.

In his statement, the leader of the 8th National Antarctic Science Expedition, Prof. Dr. Ersan Başar, stated that they witnessed the intensity and density of the melting together while entering the glacier crevasses, saying, "There is very serious melting in the layers of the ice due to warming. These are situations we have been constantly encountering in Antarctica recently."

Prof. Dr. Ersan Başar emphasized that Antarctica is one of the places most affected by climate change, stating, "Climate change has begun to be seen effectively everywhere in our world. Unfortunately, we can see this in all glaciers in Antarctica; the Arctic is also an affected region. If the glaciers disappear one day, this could perhaps be the end of the world. These glaciers must be taken very good care of. The melting of these glaciers is a matter directly related to global warming."

Stating that one of the most important pieces of evidence for climate change is the melting of glaciers, Başar emphasized that glaciers formed millions of years ago are melting rapidly as a result of climate change coupled with global warming.

Noting that the history of the world and everything else is hidden within the glaciers, Başar said, "Atmospheric events that occurred millions of years ago and the living conditions of today are hidden within these ice layers. If we can understand these glaciers one day, reach their depths, and solve the mystery there, we will be able to better understand the realities of life."