Archive · 25 Dec 2025
East Antarctic Ice Sheet Collapsed 9,000 Years Ago
Scientists found out that a big ice sheet in Antarctica collapsed a long time ago, about 9,000 years.
This happened because the ocean water was warm and it melted the ice.
The scientists looked at tiny pieces of sediment from the ocean floor and found special clues that showed the ice sheet broke apart quickly.
The warm water came from deep in the ocean and moved up to the ice, making it melt faster.
This is important because it helps us understand what might happen to the ice in Antarctica today if the ocean gets warmer.
The East Antarctic Ice Sheet collapsed 9,000 years ago due to warm ocean currents.
Evidence of the collapse was found in seafloor sediments near Japan’s Syowa Station.
The study was led by Professor Yusuke Suganuma of the National Institute of Polar Research.
Warm deep ocean currents, specifically the circumpolar deep water, caused the ice sheet to collapse.
The collapse was rapid and occurred during the early Holocene period.
- Who
- Scientists led by Professor Yusuke Suganuma
- What
- East Antarctic Ice Sheet collapsed
- When
- 9,000 years ago
- Where
- East Antarctica, with evidence found near Japan’s Syowa Station
- Why
- Due to warm deep ocean currents
- Ice Sheet
- East Antarctic Ice Sheet
- Time of Collapse
- 9,000 years ago
- Cause of Collapse
- Warm deep ocean currents
- Study Leader
- Professor Yusuke Suganuma
- Location of Evidence
- Lutzow-Holm Bay’s seafloor near Japan’s Syowa Station
- Period of Study
- Early Holocene
- Warm Current
- Circumpolar deep water