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Scientists knew the Doomsday Glacier was melting. They didn’t realize how ‘aggressively’
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- New research indicates that Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica is melting more aggressively than previously thought, potentially doubling its contribution to global sea level rise by 2100 to about 1.2 inches.
- The study highlights the importance of the glacier's "grounding zone," where tidal pumping allows warm ocean water to penetrate beneath the ice, accelerating melting and retreat.
- There is a 60% chance that Thwaites will unpin from a key underwater ridge by the end of the century, which could trigger rapid glacier retreat and significantly increase sea level rise risks.
- Experts emphasize that these findings suggest greater risks for coastal flooding than previously anticipated, though more direct data from beneath the glacier is needed to refine predictions.
- Scientists plan to deploy instruments at Thwaites' grounding line in 2028 to better understand melting processes, while urging immediate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate future sea level rise impacts.
