Scientists are sounding the alarm as over 40 new methane seep sites have been discovered in Antarctica’s Ross Sea—a dramatic increase that could reshape climate change predictions. 🌍❄️ Methane, a greenhouse gas 80x more potent than CO₂ over 20 years, is escaping from the seafloor at an unprecedented rate, according to a study in Nature Communications.
From Excitement to Anxiety 🔍😟
‘Every discovery starts with excitement, then turns to concern,’ says lead researcher Sarah Seabrook of Earth Sciences New Zealand. The first Antarctic methane seep was found in 2012, but their rapid spread mirrors trends seen in the Arctic. Using underwater drones and ice divers, teams found clusters of seeps near Ross Island—some just 5 meters deep.
A Climate Wildcard? 🃏🌡️
If these seeps release methane directly into the atmosphere, current climate models—which don’t account for this source—could underestimate future warming. ‘The system is changing before our eyes,’ Seabrook warns. Melting sea ice is already complicating research efforts, with some sites now inaccessible.
Scientists plan further surveys this season, but one thing’s clear: Antarctica’s frozen frontiers are sending a urgent message. 🚨
