Sub-ice-shelf sediments record history of twentieth-century retreat of Pine Island Glacier

Present-day thinning and retreat of Pine Island Glacier, one of the largest and fastest shrinking glaciers of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, was initiated by warming associated with strong El Niño activity during the 1940s. The new finding provides the first direct evidence and timing of glacier retreat prior to satellite records.

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Reference :

Sub-ice shelf sediments record 20th Century retreat history of Pine Island Glacier, Smith J.A, Anderson T.J, Shortt M, Gaffney A.M, Truffer M, Stanton T.P, Bindschadler R, Dutrieux P, Jenkins A, Hillenbrand C.D, Ehrmann W, Corr H.F.J, Farley N, Crowhust S, Vaughan D.G, Nature – Published online 23 November 2016. DOI