Thousands of meteorites are vanishing into the icy expanse of Antarctica each year due to the effects of climate change, raising concerns among scientists about the loss of valuable insights into the solar system’s history. Antarctica, particularly its regions with ‘blue ice’ plains devoid of snow cover, has long been a prime hunting ground for these extraterrestrial rocks. Over the decades, researchers have amassed a collection of over 45,000 meteorites from the continent.

However, recent studies published in Nature Climate Change reveal a troubling trend. Approximately 5,000 meteorites are sinking through the Antarctic ice annually, surpassing the number of new discoveries. Lead researcher Veronica Tollenaar explains that even in sub-zero temperatures, the dark-colored meteorites absorb enough sunlight to melt the ice beneath, making them nearly impossible to spot once they’re just a few centimeters below the surface.

The implications of this phenomenon extend beyond the scientific community. Meteorites serve as invaluable archives of the solar system, offering insights into planetary compositions and the origins of life on Earth. Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, emphasizes the urgency of collecting meteorites before they vanish completely. He likens this endeavor to preserving melting glaciers or studying coral reefs before they fade away.

Projections suggest that if current climate trends persist, up to three-quarters of all meteorites could disappear by 2100. However, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius could mitigate this loss, ensuring the preservation of these scientific treasures. Beyond safeguarding meteorite collections, curbing climate change offers additional benefits, such as reducing the rate of Antarctic ice melt and mitigating sea-level rise.

In response to these findings, scientists advocate for proactive measures to safeguard meteorite collections and address climate change. By prioritizing the preservation of these extraterrestrial artifacts, researchers hope to unlock further insights into the mysteries of the solar system while also safeguarding the planet’s future.