The research project is important for understanding sea-level rise, a global phenomenon which has major implications for coastal cities and environments around the world.
Scientists from a range of British institutions are collaborating in a mission that aims to discover what is causing the recent rapid loss of ice from the Pine Island Glacier on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and whether this depletion is likely to speed up or slow down over the coming decades and century. Details of the expedition were announced earlier today at the British Science Festival in Newcastle.
The research project – known as iSTAR – is important for understanding sea-level rise, a global phenomenon which has major implications for coastal cities and environments around the world. Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, iSTAR brings together experts from different institutions in a range of related fields. Dr Andy Smith of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is the Science Programme Manager for the programme.
The Cambridge University scientists contributing to the project are Dr Marion Bougamont, Dr Poul Christoffersen and Professor Liz Morris. All three are glaciologists at the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI).
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Image:RRS James Clark Ross
Credit: British Antarctic Survey
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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