Experts have issued a concerning update about the Thwaites Glacier, also known as the “Doomsday Glacier.” This massive ice sheet, roughly the size of Great Britain, continues to recede. Since 1850, Earth’s temperature has risen by an average of 0.11°F, intensifying the effects of global warming. Between the 1990s and 2010s, ice flow from Thwaites into the sea more than doubled, contributing to 8% of the annual 4.6mm rise in global sea levels.
Recent projections suggest that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could largely disappear by the 23rd century, necessitating urgent action to slow this process. This week, scientists from the US and UK are meeting at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge to discuss their findings and use underwater robotics to gain further insights.
If Thwaites Glacier melts completely, sea levels could rise by 3.3 meters, leading to widespread flooding and habitat loss, particularly affecting vulnerable areas in the UK like Hull and parts of London. Dr. Rob Larter from BAS noted that Thwaites has been retreating for over 80 years, with significant acceleration in the last three decades. There is a growing consensus that this retreat will continue to speed up within the next century, with recent studies suggesting it could happen even sooner.
