Scientists announced on Thursday the design of a new AI-powered tool that helps track the movement of icebergs, potentially filling a gap in predicting climate change.
The tool was designed to identify and name each iceberg, allowing researchers to track its evolution from its formation to its melting.
Researchers typically face difficulty in tracking the fate of these floating ice masses, especially when they break into thousands of pieces and melt, which can disrupt navigation, ocean currents, and ecosystems.
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This new tool uses satellite images to identify the distinctive shape of each ice mass that breaks off from a sea iceberg, a process known as “calving.” The AI then solves a massive puzzle by linking each piece back to the iceberg it originated from, in a process akin to determining “lineage” on an unprecedented scale.
This technology represents a significant improvement over the current method, which relies on scientists manually tracking these changes using satellite images—a task that is often very difficult.
Information Improves Climate Predictions
It was confirmed that the new tool, tested using observational data from Greenland, provides “vital information” for scientists and improves climate predictions.
The statement noted: “We have moved from tracking a few famous icebergs to a complete redefinition of lineage.” It added: “For the first time, we can know the origin, destination, and climatic significance of every piece of ice.”
The use of AI can also be adapted in the future to help ships navigate polar regions, where the abundant presence of icebergs poses a significant danger.
The breaking off of icebergs is a natural process, but scientists believe its rate in Antarctica is increasing, likely due to human-induced climate change.
