Antarctic 'Doomsday Glacier' Melting Faster, Scientists Warn 9
A massive Antarctic glacier, dubbed the "Doomsday Glacier," is melting at an accelerating rate and could be approaching irreversible collapse, international researchers are reporting. The Thwaites Glacier, holding enough ice to raise global sea levels by over two feet, has seen rapid retreat in the past 30 years.
Scientists from the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration used ice-breaking ships and underwater robots to study the glacier up close since 2018. Their findings reveal warm ocean water funneling through deep cracks in the ice, causing unexpected melting patterns. While computer modeling suggests catastrophic cliff collapse is less likely than feared, researchers project Thwaites and the Antarctic Ice Sheet could disintegrate within 200 years. This collapse could ultimately lead to 10 feet of sea level rise, devastating coastal communities worldwide.
Scientists from the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration used ice-breaking ships and underwater robots to study the glacier up close since 2018. Their findings reveal warm ocean water funneling through deep cracks in the ice, causing unexpected melting patterns. While computer modeling suggests catastrophic cliff collapse is less likely than feared, researchers project Thwaites and the Antarctic Ice Sheet could disintegrate within 200 years. This collapse could ultimately lead to 10 feet of sea level rise, devastating coastal communities worldwide.
In retreat sounds good (Score:2)
The Thwaites Glacier, holding enough ice to raise global sea levels by over two feet, has seen rapid retreat in the past 30 years.
Good! That thing looked way too threatening.
Re: (Score:2)
these situations are studied in isolation but that's not how the world works, all it's going to take is the first tipping point and then there will be a domino effect and suddenly everything will change catastrophically
greedy rich people are going to wreck everything for everybody
Maybe don't break the ice... (Score:2)
Scientists from the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration used ice-breaking ships (...) Their findings reveal warm ocean water funneling through deep cracks in the ice, causing unexpected melting patterns.
Re: (Score:2)
You use an ice-breaking ship to navigate through waterways prone to icing over.
Move to higher ground (Score:2)
When I moved home a couple of years ago, I made sure my new place is at the top a hill. Whilst sea level rise is still a long way off, higher global temperatures means more water in the atmosphere and more flooding events around the world.
Your local area should publish a floodplain map, I’d suggest being at least a couple of metres above the 100 year level if you can.
GOP investment opportunities! (Score:3)
I can't wait. (Score:2)
It's not like there's any chance of stopping whatever is going to happen. Even if it was possible in theory, even if we had the technology and the money to do it, the world doesn't have the will.
So it's going to happen. I hope it happens soon so all these doomsday articles can finally stop. It's getting quite annoying.