A team of scientists studying the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica has found alarming signs of rapid melting. Often referred to as the “doomsday glacier”, Thwaites is melting faster than expected, putting it on a perilous path to collapse. This could have catastrophic consequences for global sea levels, which could rise significantly. Researchers, part of the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), have been working since 2018 to investigate this glacier and its future impact.
Rapid melting and rising sea levels
Rob Larter, a marine geophysicist with the British Antarctic Survey, told Science.org that the loss of the Thwaites ice is accelerating, and projections point to further retreat and an increase in speed. The collapse of this glacier could raise the sea level by more than two meters. Worse, because Thwaites acts as a plug for the larger Antarctic ice sheet, its breakup could result in a rise of up to 10 feet, potentially flooding cities like Miami and London.
A study published in the journal Advancing Earth and Space Sciences reveals that the Doomsday Glacier could be completely gone by 2300. This could have significant consequences for the current inhabitants of the planet.
Unexpected melting mechanisms
Researchers used the Icefin underwater robot to investigate Thwaites’ grounding line. This is where the glacier meets the seabed, a key point for its stability. Images sent by Icefin revealed unexpected melting patterns, including warm water seeping deep into the glacier through cracks. Kiya Riverman, a glaciologist at the University of Portland, described the discovery as a significant moment for the scientific community.
The future of Thwaites Glacier
The team, including Julia Wellner of the University of Houston, also analyzed the glacier’s historical behavior. They found that the rapid retreat began in the 1940s, possibly due to a strong El Niño event. While computer models suggest that certain catastrophic melting processes may be less likely, the outlook for Thwaites remains bleak. Eric Rignot, a glaciologist at the University of California, Irvine, warns that parts of Antarctica may already be collapsing.
