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The article presents a thermo-hydrodynamic modelling study of the low-elevation blue-ice areas in Antarctica where significant amounts of subsurface liquid water during summer can be contained and absorption of shortwave radiation can be experienced. The study of the phenomenon is using the existing 2-D (x-z) model and is improved by changing the optical and thermal boundary conditions together with the optical attenuation coefficient. Significant effect of spatial variability of snow on subsurface melting has been found out.

The article reports on the physical characteristics as well as the features of Dome C, a rise in the East Antarctic plateau. The rise is estimated to be at 14,500 feet in pure ice. According to the author, the place is the most singular environment on earth on account of its pure ice environment. The seasons and the days are reduced into one single spiral. The author argues that the only contrast is between an ice-massed land and an ice saturated sky. At Dome C, the snowflakes metamorphosed into icy dust.