Researchers from Australia have produced a detailed map of the seafloor along the path of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, the most powerful ocean current on the planet. This milestone was reported on the official CISRO site. The study blends cutting-edge satellite data with deep-sea measurements to illuminate the undersea landscape swept by this relentless circulation.
Ocean scientists integrated data from a new space telescope operated by NASA in collaboration with the French space agency, leveraging the SWOT satellite to capture precise sea-surface height variations and infer underwater topography. The orbital measurements provided a valuable height profile of the ocean floor, revealing features that had previously been hidden from view.
The analysis identifies a volcanic ridge extending from Tasmania toward Antarctica, covering roughly 20 thousand square kilometers at depths near four kilometers. This underwater mountain chain acts as a barrier and a conduit, shaping the flow of currents and creating pathways for warmer water to reach the polar regions. Such intrusions can intensify the rate at which Antarctic ice melts, potentially contributing to future sea-level rise.
Researchers estimate the volcanic ridge in this Antarctic Circumpolar Current region formed around 20 million years ago. The relief alters the movement of subsurface currents, fostering eddies that mix heat and various substances from the surface down into deeper waters. These swirling patterns play a critical role in distributing thermal energy and nutrients, influencing marine life and ocean chemistry across vast distances.
With these new insights, scientists aim to improve predictions of sea-level rise linked to the retreat of Antarctic ice. A clearer picture of how underwater geography channels heat helps refine climate models and coastal planning forecasts for North America and other regions connected to the polar system.
The report notes that earlier space-based instruments experienced a brief malfunction in their temperature-sensing capabilities, underscoring the challenges of long-term satellite operations and the importance of continual validation with in situ measurements.