Antarctic sea ice over the past 130 000 years – Part 2: A review of its role in the Earth system

Abstract. Antarctic sea-ice cover reached historically low levels in 2023, consistent with the simulated decrease in sea-ice extent in response to anthropogenic warming. Antarctic sea ice is closely linked to multiple components of the Earth system, thus its demise could precipitate widespread, cascading changes across the cryosphere, atmosphere, and ocean. However, the nature and strength of these interconnections are poorly understood, and they are often inadequately represented in models. In this review paper we use modern observations, models and paleoclimate archives covering the last glacial cycle to gain insights into how reductions in sea ice may affect other components of the Earth system. We review how Antarctic sea ice interacts with ocean and atmosphere circulation, ice sheets and ice shelves, marine productivity, and the carbon cycle over the last glacial cycle, for which we have the most robust sea-ice reconstructions. The review finds strong evidence from theory and models for impacts of Antarctic sea ice on the Earth system. Paleo-proxy reconstructions provide examples where changes in sea ice co-occur with changes in the carbon cycle, marine productivity, and ocean circulation. However, challenges remain in isolating the impact of sea ice in a highly interconnected system.

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Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Climate of the past
Published
2026-10-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-22-1881-2026
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.15

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article

Antarctic sea ice over the past 130 000 years – Part 2: A review of its role in the Earth system

Jacob L. Jones, Alice Marzocchi, Zanna Chase, Katrin Juliane Meissner et al.
2 citations
Climate of the past
Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
6.15
article

Antarctic sea ice over the past 130 000 years – Part 2: A review of its role in the Earth system

Jacob L. Jones, Alice Marzocchi, Zanna Chase, Katrin Juliane Meissner, Matthew Chadwick, Helen Bostock, Luke Cameron Skinner, Laurie Menviel, Xavier Crosta, Karen Elizabeth Kohfeld, Elisabeth L. Sikes, Louise Claire Sime, Amy R. Leventer, Samuel L. Jaccard
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Abstract. Antarctic sea-ice cover reached historically low levels in 2023, consistent with the simulated decrease in sea-ice extent in response to anthropogenic warming. Antarctic sea ice is closely linked to multiple components of the Earth system, thus its demise could precipitate widespread, cascading changes across the cryosphere, atmosphere, and ocean. However, the nature and strength of these interconnections are poorly understood, and they are often inadequately represented in models. In this review paper we use modern observations, models and paleoclimate archives covering the last glacial cycle to gain insights into how reductions in sea ice may affect other components of the Earth system. We review how Antarctic sea ice interacts with ocean and atmosphere circulation, ice sheets and ice shelves, marine productivity, and the carbon cycle over the last glacial cycle, for which we have the most robust sea-ice reconstructions. The review finds strong evidence from theory and models for impacts of Antarctic sea ice on the Earth system. Paleo-proxy reconstructions provide examples where changes in sea ice co-occur with changes in the carbon cycle, marine productivity, and ocean circulation. However, challenges remain in isolating the impact of sea ice in a highly interconnected system.

Climate of the pastVol. 22(10)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), University of Tasmania (AU), British Antarctic Survey (GB), University of Connecticut (US), Université de Bordeaux (FR), University of California, Los Angeles (US), The University of Queensland (AU), Simon Fraser University (CA), National Oceanography Centre (GB), University of Cambridge (GB), UNSW Sydney (AU), Colgate University (US), Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (FR), Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (AU), Climate Change Research Centre (AU), ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (AU), University of Lausanne (CH)
Past Global Changes, Natural Environment Research Council
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
6.15
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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