What Happens If Antarctica’s Volcanoes Wake Up?

Key Points:

Research suggests that if Antarctica’s volcanoes wake up and erupt, it could accelerate ice melting, contributing to sea level rise and affecting global climate.
The evidence leans toward eruptions impacting local ecosystems and human activities, like research stations, due to ash and heat.
It seems likely that these events could have far-reaching effects, including temporary global cooling, but the scale and timing remain uncertain.

Immediate Implications

Antarctica hides over 138 volcanoes, with 91 discovered in 2017 under its ice sheet (List of volcanoes in Antarctica – Wikipedia).

If these volcanoes erupt, they could melt significant ice, potentially raising sea levels by destabilizing the ice sheet. This isn’t just a local issue; it could affect coastal communities worldwide.

Global Climate Effects

Eruptions might release ash and sulfur dioxide, leading to a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight, similar to historical volcanic winters. However, this could also disrupt weather patterns, impacting agriculture far beyond Antarctica.

Local and Human Impacts

The heat from eruptions could harm Antarctic wildlife, like penguins, and pose risks to research stations, as seen with past eruptions at Deception Island. Tourism and science operations might face disruptions from ash fall or tsunamis.

The Potential of Antarctic Volcanic Activity

Antarctica, often envisioned as a frozen expanse of ice and snow, harbors a surprising geological secret: a vast network of volcanoes, some active, others dormant, and many buried beneath kilometers of ice.

A 2017 study by researchers from the University of Edinburgh revealed the presence of 91 previously unknown volcanoes, bringing the total count to 138 across the continent (List of volcanoes in Antarctica – Wikipedia).

This discovery, detailed in a report published in the Geological Society of London, underscores the potential for these volcanoes to “wake up” and erupt, with significant implications for global climate, sea levels, and local ecosystems.

This article delves into what might happen if Antarctica’s volcanoes become active, drawing on recent scientific findings and historical context to explore the multifaceted impacts.

The Hidden Volcanic Landscape

Antarctica’s volcanic activity is not a new phenomenon, but the scale and distribution of these volcanoes have only recently come into sharper focus.

The continent is home to the largest volcanic region on Earth, particularly in West Antarctica, where the West Antarctic Rift System hosts many of these geological features (Scientists found 91 volcanoes under Antarctica. Here’s what they might do | PBS News).

These volcanoes range in height from 300 feet to 12,600 feet, with some, like Mount Erebus, standing as tall as Mount Fuji in Japan.

Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on Earth, has been continuously erupting since at least 1972, with its summit reaching 12,448 feet (Antarctica is covered in volcanoes, could they erupt? | Live Science).

Other active volcanoes include Deception Island, part of the South Shetland Islands, known for eruptions that have impacted nearby research stations in the past.

The 2017 discovery was made possible through radar mapping data, analyzed by a team led by Max Van Wyk de Vries, an undergraduate student at the University of Edinburgh, who identified cone-shaped structures under up to 4 kilometers of ice (Hot And Cold: How Many Active Volcanoes Are There In Antarctica? – Aurora Expeditions™).

This finding trebled the known number of volcanoes in West Antarctica, highlighting the continent’s potential as a hotspot for volcanic activity, rivaling regions like East Africa’s volcanic ridge (Scientists discover 91 volcanoes below Antarctic ice sheet | Volcanoes | The Guardian).

What Happens If They Wake Up?

The phrase “wake up” refers to dormant or less active volcanoes beginning to show signs of activity, potentially leading to eruptions.

The consequences of such events are multifaceted, affecting the ice sheet, global climate, local ecosystems, and human activities in Antarctica.

Impact on the Ice Sheet

Antarctica’s ice sheet, containing about 70% of the Earth’s fresh water, is a critical component of global sea level regulation.

If volcanoes erupt, the heat and magma can melt significant portions of the ice, creating subglacial lakes or accelerating ice flow into the ocean.

A 2018 study confirmed previously unsuspected volcanic activity under the West Antarctic Ice Sheet at Pine Island Glacier, suggesting that geothermal heat could contribute to ice melting from below (Previously unsuspected volcanic activity confirmed under West Antarctic Ice Sheet at Pine Island Glacier | NSF – National Science Foundation).

This process could destabilize the ice sheet, potentially leading to a collapse that would raise sea levels by several meters, with estimates suggesting contributions of up to 41 cm by 2100 under high-emission scenarios (Antarctic ice sheet – Wikipedia).

Glaciologist Robert Bingham, one of the authors of the 2017 study, warned that eruptions could further destabilize West Antarctica’s ice sheets, stating, “If one of these volcanoes were to erupt, it could further destabilise west Antarctica’s ice sheets” (Scientists discover 91 volcanoes below Antarctic ice sheet | Volcanoes | The Guardian).

This is particularly concerning given the already observed thinning of the ice due to climate change, which could reduce pressure on the crust and potentially trigger more eruptions, creating a feedback loop of melting and volcanic activity (Giant volcanoes lurk beneath Antarctic ice – Science News for Students).

Atmospheric Effects

Volcanic eruptions release ash, sulfur dioxide, and other gases into the atmosphere, which can have both local and global effects. Sulfur dioxide forms aerosols that reflect sunlight, potentially leading to a cooling effect known as a volcanic winter.

Historical examples, such as the eruptions in the 540s, 1450s, and 1600s, have been linked to global cooling events, with sulfate particles reflecting incoming sunlight (Volcanic Eruptions Triggered Historical Global Cooling – DRI).

While this could temporarily mitigate global warming, it might also disrupt weather patterns, affecting agriculture and food security in regions far from Antarctica.

The scale of these atmospheric effects depends on the eruption’s magnitude, measured by the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), with larger eruptions having more significant impacts. However, the exact outcomes remain uncertain, as they depend on factors like eruption frequency and the amount of gas released.

Ecosystem Disruption

Antarctica’s ecosystems are uniquely adapted to extreme cold, and volcanic eruptions could disrupt these fragile environments.

The heat and ash from eruptions could alter habitats, affecting species like penguins, seals, and krill, which form the base of the marine food chain.

For instance, subglacial eruptions could introduce volcanic materials into the ocean, potentially changing water chemistry and impacting phytoplankton, a critical food source for many Antarctic species (Subglacial Volcanoes – AntarcticGlaciers.org).

Historical ice core data suggests that during the last ice age, Antarctica experienced gigantic volcanic eruptions, larger than any in modern history, which likely had significant ecological impacts (The world’s Southernmost Active Volcano In Antarctica Spews Gold Dust | IFLScience).

While current eruptions might be smaller, the cumulative effect on biodiversity could still be substantial, especially given the continent’s isolation and limited species diversity.

Human Activities

Although Antarctica is sparsely populated, it hosts numerous scientific research stations and is increasingly popular for tourism.

An eruption could pose direct risks to these activities, including ash fall, lava flows, and potential tsunamis if the volcano is near the coast.

The 1967 eruption of Deception Island, for example, destroyed part of a Chilean research station, demonstrating the hazards faced by human presence in volcanic areas (Antarctica is covered in volcanoes, could they erupt? | Live Science).

Tourism, which has seen growing interest, could also be affected, with potential disruptions to cruise ships and expedition activities.

The increasing human footprint in Antarctica, combined with volcanic risks, underscores the need for robust monitoring and safety protocols.

Geological Changes

Volcanic eruptions can reshape Antarctica’s landscape, creating new landforms like cinder cones or altering existing ones through lava flows and ash deposits. These changes can affect the stability of the ice sheet, potentially influencing glacier flow and contributing to further ice loss.

The interaction between volcanic activity and ice, known as glaciovolcanism, is a relatively young field of study, with research expanding significantly since 2000 (Subglacial Volcanoes – AntarcticGlaciers.org). Understanding these processes is crucial for predicting long-term geological and climatic changes.

Challenging Common Assumptions

Many might assume that volcanic eruptions in Antarctica are isolated events, far removed from daily life. However, this overlooks the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems.

Eruptions can influence global climate through atmospheric aerosols, contribute to sea level rise by melting ice, and affect ecosystems and human activities far beyond the continent.

Glacier expert Robert Bingham emphasized, “Anything that causes the melting of ice – which an eruption certainly would – is likely to speed up the flow of ice into the sea,” highlighting the global implications (Scientists discover 91 volcanoes below Antarctic ice sheet | Volcanoes | The Guardian).

This perspective shift is supported by evidence from historical eruptions, which have shown cooling effects and ecological disruptions, and by recent studies suggesting a feedback loop between ice melting and volcanic activity.

The potential for these volcanoes to trigger significant environmental changes challenges the notion of Antarctica as a remote, disconnected region.

Table: Summary of Potential Impacts

Impact Area	Description
Ice Sheet Stability	Eruptions can melt ice, creating subglacial lakes and accelerating ice flow into the ocean, contributing to sea level rise.
Global Climate	Ash and sulfur dioxide can cause temporary cooling, potentially disrupting weather patterns and agriculture.
Ecosystems	Heat and ash can alter habitats, affecting wildlife like penguins and krill, with potential long-term biodiversity impacts.
Human Activities	Risks to research stations and tourism from ash fall, lava flows, and tsunamis, as seen in past eruptions like Deception Island in 1967.
Geological Changes	Eruptions can reshape landscapes, affecting glacier flow and ice sheet stability through glaciovolcanic processes.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The awakening of Antarctica’s volcanoes is not merely a local geological event; it’s a global concern with far-reaching implications.

The potential for these eruptions to accelerate ice melting, influence climate, disrupt ecosystems, and affect human activities underscores the need for continued research and monitoring.

Scientists plan further studies to determine the activity levels of these volcanoes and their effects on ice sheet dynamics, as noted in the 2017 Edinburgh study (Scientists found 91 volcanoes under Antarctica. Here’s what they might do | PBS News).

As we navigate the challenges of climate change, understanding all factors, including volcanic activity, is essential for protecting our planet’s delicate balance.

This exploration of Antarctica’s volcanic potential reveals a complex interplay between fire and ice, reminding us that even the most isolated places are connected to our global future.