There’s a potentially large pool of methane hydrate in part of the Earth where we haven’t previously considered it.
Depending on where that hydrate is, and how much there is, if the ice thins in those regions, some of that hydrate could come out with a possible feedback on climate.
The objective is not to alter the climate, but simply to probe the processes at a micro scale. The direct risk is very small.
It turns out that past studies, which were based on computer models without any direct data for comparison or guidance, overestimate the water temperatures and extent of melting beneath the Fimbul Ice Shelf [in the Antarctic]. This has led to the misconception, Hattermann said, that the ice shelf is losing mass at a faster rate than it is gaining mass, leading to an overall loss of mass. The team’s results show that water temperatures are far lower than computer models predicted.