Can an Antarctic ice sheet collapse cause a worldwide tsunami?

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of an Antarctic ice sheet collapse causing a worldwide tsunami. Research suggests that this is unlikely to occur due to the gradual melting and refreezing of the ice cap, which does not result in a sudden change in displaced volume. Additionally, the landscape profile of the land mass prevents sudden movement of the ice cap. A real-life example of a collapse that took several years is provided for reference.
  • #1
NealM
1
0
Hi,

I am not a Physical Student/Physical Scientist.
Can an Antarctic ice sheet collapse cause a worldwide tsunami? A big one or bigger like this: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/26/iceberg-size-of-greater-london-breaks-off-antarctica

Can you please explain why this can cause a worldwide tsunami or why not ?

Research done but for me it is still not clear if an Antarctic ice sheet collapse can cause a worldwide tsunami.
Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4887769/
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
  • #2
Welcome to PF.
The large parts of the icecap that break away are floating in the seawater before the break. Since there is no sudden change in displaced volume, there will be no tsunami generated.

The land mass is not polished like a slide, so the icecap fits the landscape profile well. The speed of movement is determined by the rate of melting and refreezing of the bottom of the ice cap. No sudden movement is possible.
 
  • Like
Likes Astronuc, BillTre and NealM

1. Can an Antarctic ice sheet collapse cause a worldwide tsunami?

Yes, it is possible for an Antarctic ice sheet collapse to cause a worldwide tsunami. However, the likelihood and severity of such an event is still uncertain and requires further research.

2. How does an Antarctic ice sheet collapse lead to a tsunami?

When an Antarctic ice sheet collapses, it can cause a massive displacement of water, leading to a tsunami. The sudden release of this large amount of water can create powerful waves that can travel across oceans.

3. How big of a tsunami could an Antarctic ice sheet collapse cause?

The size of a tsunami caused by an Antarctic ice sheet collapse would depend on various factors such as the size of the ice sheet, the speed and force of the collapse, and the topography of the surrounding ocean floor. It is difficult to predict the exact size, but it could potentially be significant.

4. Are there any warning signs of an impending Antarctic ice sheet collapse?

Scientists are constantly monitoring the Antarctic ice sheets for any signs of instability or potential collapse. Some warning signs include changes in ice flow and the formation of large cracks or rifts in the ice. However, it is still challenging to predict when and if a collapse will occur.

5. What would be the impact of a worldwide tsunami caused by an Antarctic ice sheet collapse?

The impact of such an event would be devastating, with coastal regions around the world being affected. The size and strength of the tsunami would determine the extent of the damage, but it could potentially cause widespread destruction and loss of life. It would also have significant economic and environmental consequences.

Similar threads

  • Science Fiction and Fantasy Media
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
27K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
99
Views
33K
Writing: Input Wanted Great Lakes Earth Map
  • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
2
Views
3K
Back
Top