The Mystery of the Disappearing Meteorites in Antarctica

Antarctica has proven to be a treasure trove of meteorites, with nearly 50,000 already discovered and potentially hundreds of thousands more waiting to be recovered. Each of these space rocks holds valuable information about the evolution of our solar system. In fact, the first lunar rock found in Antarctica revealed that material from celestial objects larger than asteroids can make their way to Earth.

However, finding these meteorites is no easy task. Scientists have to navigate remote and harsh environments with no guarantee of success. Despite these challenges, about 1,000 meteorites are still found in Antarctica each year. But a recent study published in Nature Climate Change suggests that warming temperatures are burying an estimated 5,000 meteorites under the ice annually.

To understand the impact of climate change on meteorite recovery, researchers developed a model to predict where these space rocks are most likely to surface. Factors such as snow cover, surface temperatures, ice flow speed, and terrain steepness were considered in the simulations. The findings indicate that rising temperatures are causing meteorites to sink out of sight beneath the ice.

Co-lead author Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, expressed surprise at this unexpected consequence of climate change. He emphasized the importance of preserving this valuable archive of the solar system, even in sub-freezing conditions.

The majority of Antarctic meteorites are typically found near the base of mountains or outcrops where ice is forced upwards, exposing ancient blue ice. Strong winds help brush away snow, while some ice directly changes to vapor, aiding in the exposure of buried meteorites. This ongoing challenge highlights the importance of continued research and monitoring to ensure these valuable scientific artifacts are not lost to the changing climate.