Study Explores Relationship Between Melting Ice Caps on Poles, Climate Change

Beijing, Aug 4 (ONA) --- A recent study revealed the important role of the growth of the Antarctic ice sheet and the expansion of sea ice in the Southern Ocean in causing the transition to the middle of the Ice Age. The middle of the Ice Age is a period characterized by intensive formation of ice sheets and low sea surface temperatures.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Institute of Earth Environment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with researchers from other Chinese and international institutes.

The study published in the 'Science' journal indicates an important climatic shift that occurred between 1.25 million and 2 million years ago. According to the findings, the significant growth of the Antarctic ice sheets during this period had a profound impact on global climate patterns.

As the Antarctic ice sheets expanded, they caused an increase in sea ice in the Southern Ocean, which in turn led to a cooling effect in the high northern latitudes. This cooling enhanced the transport of moisture to the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to the growth of ice sheets there, thus transitioning the Earth into the middle of the Ice Age.

"The study will contribute to the assessment of the recent global warming phenomenon, which is already causing asymmetric melting of the ice sheets at the poles," said academician An Zhixing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

--- Ends/AG