Antarctic meteorites threatened by climate warming

Journal article (2024)

Authors

Veronica Tollenaar Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Harry Zekollari Vrije Universiteit Brussel, ETH Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
Christoph Kittel Université Grenoble Alpes, Université de Liège
Daniel Farinotti ETH Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research
S.L.M. Lhermitte Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning - CEG
Vinciane Debaille Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Steven Goderis Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Philippe Claeys Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Katherine Helen Joy The University of Manchester
Frank Pattyn Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Research Group
Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning (CEG) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2024

Language

English

Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Geoscience and Remote Sensing

Research Group

Mathematical Geodesy and Positioning

Abstract

More than 60% of meteorite finds on Earth originate from Antarctica. Using a data-driven analysis that identifies meteorite-rich sites in Antarctica, we show climate warming causes many extraterrestrial rocks to be lost from the surface by melting into the ice sheet. At present, approximately 5,000 meteorites become inaccessible per year (versus ~1,000 finds per year) and, independent of the emissions scenario, ~24% will be lost by 2050, potentially rising to ∼76% by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario.