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Change and variability in Antarctic coastal exposure, 1979–2020

Author

Listed:
  • P. A. Reid

    (Australian Bureau of Meteorology
    University of Tasmania)

  • R. A. Massom

    (University of Tasmania
    Australian Antarctic Division
    University of Tasmania)

Abstract

Increased exposure of Antarctica’s coastal environment to open ocean and waves due to loss of a protective sea-ice “buffer” has important ramifications for ice-shelf stability, coastal erosion, important ice-ocean-atmosphere interactions and shallow benthic ecosystems. Here, we introduce a climate and environmental metric based on the ongoing long-term satellite sea-ice concentration record, namely Coastal Exposure Length. This is a daily measure of change and variability in the length and incidence of Antarctic coastline lacking any protective sea-ice buffer offshore. For 1979–2020, ~50% of Antarctica’s ~17,850-km coastline had no sea ice offshore each summer, with minimal exposure in winter. Regional summer/maximum contributions vary from 45% (Amundsen-Bellingshausen seas) to 58% (Indian Ocean and Ross Sea), with circumpolar annual exposure ranging from 38% (2019) to 63% (1993). The annual maximum length of Antarctic coastal exposure decreased by ~30 km (~0.32%) per year for 1979–2020, composed of distinct regional and seasonal contributions.

Suggested Citation

  • P. A. Reid & R. A. Massom, 2022. "Change and variability in Antarctic coastal exposure, 1979–2020," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28676-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28676-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joao Morim & Mark Hemer & Xiaolan L. Wang & Nick Cartwright & Claire Trenham & Alvaro Semedo & Ian Young & Lucy Bricheno & Paula Camus & Mercè Casas-Prat & Li Erikson & Lorenzo Mentaschi & Nobuhito Mo, 2019. "Robustness and uncertainties in global multivariate wind-wave climate projections," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 9(9), pages 711-718, September.
    2. John Turner & Josefino Comiso, 2017. "Solve Antarctica’s sea-ice puzzle," Nature, Nature, vol. 547(7663), pages 275-277, July.
    3. Robert A. Massom & Theodore A. Scambos & Luke G. Bennetts & Phillip Reid & Vernon A. Squire & Sharon E. Stammerjohn, 2018. "Antarctic ice shelf disintegration triggered by sea ice loss and ocean swell," Nature, Nature, vol. 558(7710), pages 383-389, June.
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