# Geological drivers of Antarctic glaciation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/geological-drivers-of-antarctic-glaciation
> Updated: 2026-08-31T08:32:01.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Geophysical research indicates that mantle waves from deep within the Earth were a primary driver in the formation of Antarctica’s permanent ice sheets. Scientists propose that slow-moving mantle waves, triggered by the separation of tectonic plates, caused the gradual uplift of East Antarctica over approximately 100 million years.

This tectonic movement created high-altitude plateaus and mountain systems, such as the Gamburtsev Mountains. Computational modeling suggests that as these landscapes rose above a critical elevation threshold of roughly two kilometers, air temperatures dropped sufficiently to allow snow to accumulate and persist. This process enabled large-scale glaciation to occur as early as 45 to 34 million years ago, even while global temperatures remained significantly warmer than they are today, independent of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-31: Mantle waves helped freeze Antarctica 34 million years ago

Geophysical studies reveal that mantle waves lifted Antarctica's surface, creating the high-altitude conditions necessary for permanent ice sheet formation 34 million years ago.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mantle-waves-helped-freeze-antarctica-34-million-years-ago

### 2026-08-26: East Antarctica uplift explains early glaciation

Scientists have discovered that mantle waves caused the uplift of East Antarctica, allowing ice to form millions of years before the Arctic despite warmer global temperatures.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/east-antarctica-uplift-explains-early-glaciation

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Cite as: Geological drivers of Antarctic glaciation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/geological-drivers-of-antarctic-glaciation