A 20-year survey using sensors and machine learning reveals that warm circumpolar deep water is moving closer to Antarctic ice shelves. This shift aligns with previous climate models and threatens the stability of floating ice slabs that regulate global sea levels. If these ice shelves collapse, it could trigger a dramatic rise in sea levels and disrupt the planet's natural heat and carbon cycles. The Southern Ocean, which has historically acted as a cooling buffer, is showing signs of rapid warming.
