The Maud Rise ice gap, a perplexing phenomenon in the open ocean far from coastal winds, has been a longstanding puzzle for scientists. Discovered in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, in 1974 and 1976, this area surrounded by sea ice reappears periodically in varying sizes but can also disappear for extended periods. Despite years of research, the conditions that lead to its formation remain unclear to the scientific community.
However, recent breakthroughs have provided new insights into this enigmatic phenomenon. In 2016 and 2017, an 80,000 square kilometer hole opened up for several weeks during both winters, offering scientists an unprecedented opportunity to study it more closely and potentially solve the mystery. Recent research published in the journal Science Advances by postdoctoral researcher Aditya Narayanan and colleagues at the University of Southampton sheds new light on this mysterious phenomenon.
To understand how sea ice expands from a minimum area of about 3 million square kilometers to 18 million square kilometers as seasons transition from summer to winter, covering approximately 4% of the Earth’s surface. Most sea ice forms during the polar night when strong continental winds push ice blocks apart, creating ice holes known as polynyas. However, the Maud Rise ice gap forms away from coastal winds, making its creation less likely and more challenging to comprehend.
To unravel this mystery, researchers studied data from satellites, automated buoys, tagged marine mammals and historical observations from other scientists. They found that in 2016 and 2017, the Weddell Gyre – a circular current in the Weddell Sea – was stronger than in previous years. This stronger current allowed underwater currents to bring salt and heat closer to the surface ultimately leading to the formation of