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The Conversation
The Conversation
Ellie Ong, Research Fellow, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, Monash University

Antarctica has its own ‘shield’ against warm water – but this could now be under threat

The Australian ice-breaker RSV Nuyina, cruising around Antarctica. Pete Harmsen/Australian Antarctic Division

A little-known ocean current surrounds Antarctica, shielding it from warm water further north. But our new research shows Antarctica’s melting ice is disrupting this current, putting the continent’s last line of defence at risk.

We found meltwater from Antarctica is speeding up the current, known as the Antarctic Slope Current. And it’s set to become even faster by mid-century.

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