WEB DESK: Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, often dubbed the “Doomsday Glacier,” is showing alarming signs of destabilization. This raises significant concerns about future sea level rise, according to new research.
New Evidence of Destabilization
High-resolution satellite radar data reveals that warm ocean water is flooding beneath the glacier’s core structures. This accelerates its destabilization. The discovery, detailed in a study published in the journal PNAS, highlights the growing threat.
Thwaites, the world’s widest glacier, spans approximately 80 miles and reaches depths of 2,600 to 3,900 feet. This area is roughly the size of Florida. The glacier’s position on downward-sloping land makes it particularly vulnerable to the ocean’s erosive forces.
Significant Sea Level Impact
Currently, Thwaites contributes about four percent of the world’s total sea level rise. If the glacier collapses entirely, it could raise global sea levels by more than ten feet.
Increased Vulnerability
“The rushing of seawater beneath grounded ice over considerable distances makes the glacier more vulnerable to melting from a warmer ocean than anticipated,” explained the study’s authors. UC Irvine professor and lead author Eric Rignot told CBS News, “We see the seawater coming in at high tide and receding, sometimes going farther up underneath the glacier and getting trapped.”
Ongoing Concerns and Urgency
This is not the first time concerns about Thwaites Glacier have been raised. In 2021, researchers at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) reported that the glacier was destabilizing due to warming ocean waters in the Amundsen Sea. These conditions persist, continuing to erode the glacier’s ice.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Michael E. Mann, a distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State University, commented in 2021, “This isn’t the lynchpin for the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, but it’s a worrying development that underscores the urgency of efforts to decarbonize our civilization.” He added, “It is one significant step along the path of Antarctic ice sheet collapse and major inundation of our coastlines. A worrying sign that really does underscore the urgency of climate action.”
Looking Ahead
The findings highlight the critical need for continued climate action to mitigate the impacts of global warming on vulnerable glaciers like Thwaites. As the scientific community continues to monitor these developments, the urgency of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change becomes ever more apparent.
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