Scientists are concerned that a potential volcanic eruption beneath Antarctica could lead to major global sea level rise. Beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet lie more than 100 volcanoes.
Antarctica has just two active volcanoes, Deception Island and Mount Erebus. Scientists who study the area say there is a small chance of the volcanoes posing any real threat in the near future. However, some say their eruption is imminent.
John Smellie, Professor of Volcanology at the University of Leicester, proposed that the slightest movement from the volcanoes could create significant amounts of meltwater which would raise sea levels.
Speaking in 2017, he said: “The volcanoes would melt huge caverns in the base of the ice and create enormous quantities of meltwater.
“Because the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is wet, rather than frozen to its bed – imagine an ice cube on a kitchen worktop – the meltwater would act as a lubricant and could cause the overlying ice to slip and move more rapidly.”
Around 80 percent of the world’s freshwater reserves are stored in Antarctica, meaning that if melted, global sea levels would rise by around 60 meters.