Unraveling the Mystery of the Maud Rise Polynya: Scientists Reveal Its Surprising Formation Mechanism

The formation of the Maud Rise polynya is a result of complex interactions between the wind, ocean currents, and the unique geography of the ocean floor. The ocean in Antarctica freezes every winter, but strong coastal winds can push the ice in different directions, causing polynyas to form. In the case of the Maud Rise polynya, the “complex geography of the ocean floor” contributes to the heat and salt rising, which in turn leads to the formation of the polynya.