A Hole The Size Of Lake Superior Opened Up In Antarctica, And Scientists Have No Idea What It Is

Image Credit: Nasa

By Amanda Froelich Truth Theory

On this truly auspicious day (10/10/17), news of the mysterious nature was revealed by atmospheric physicist Kent Moore, a professor at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus. Reportedly, a hole as large as Lake Superior — or the entire state of Maine — has opened up in Antarctica, and scientists are stumped as to why it is there.

Moore told Vice that the hole “is quite remarkable,” and that “it looks like you punched a hole in the ice.” According to the atmospheric physicist, areas of open water surrounded by sea ice are known as  polynias. Though they are common in coastal regions of Antarctica, this one is confusing to scientists because the polynia is “deep in the ice pack.” As a result, it has been formed by processes that aren’t understood. “This is hundreds of kilometres from the ice edge. If we didn’t have a satellite, we wouldn’t know it was there,” said Moore. At its peak, the phenomena measures 80,000 k㎡.

Intriguingly, another polynia was observed in the same location in the 1970’s. During that time, scientists’ instruments weren’t nearly as advanced as they are today, so the hole remained largely unstudied. It went away for four weeks; then last year, it reopened on September 9th for a few weeks. Now, it’s back again.

“This is now the second year in a row it’s opened after 40 years of not being there,” said Moore, who has been working with the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modelling (SOCCOM) group, based at Princeton University, to determine the cause. “We’re still trying to figure out what’s going on.”

Because the hole has not yet been studied, it is preemptive to blame it on climate change. However, there is a possibility that warming oceans, rising sea levels and other atmospheric phenomena contributed to the mysterious hole forming. One thing is clear: the polynia will impact the oceans. Said Moore, “Once the sea ice melts back, you have this huge temperature contrast between the ocean and the atmosphere. It can start driving convection.” He added, “Denser, colder water sinks to the bottom of the ocean, while warmer water comes to the surface, “which can keep the polynia open once it starts.”

Moore and his colleagues are using satellite images and deep sea robots to research the gargantuan hole. In the future, their findings will likely be published. “Compared to 40 years ago, the amount of data we have is amazing,” he said.

Read more: US Media Silent About Climate Change As Successive Natural Disasters Hit The Globe

h/t Vice

THIS ARTICLE IS OFFERED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE. IT’S OKAY TO REPUBLISH IT ANYWHERE AS LONG AS ATTRIBUTION BIO IS INCLUDED AND ALL LINKS REMAIN INTACT.

I am Luke Miller, content manager at Truth Theory and creator of Potential For Change. I like to blend psychology and spirituality to help you create more happiness in your life.Grab a copy of my free 33 Page Illustrated eBook- Psychology Meets Spirituality- Secrets To A Supercharged Life You Control Here