Thwaites Glacier May Melt Twice as Fast as Predicted

· Science

New modeling suggests Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, often called the "Doomsday Glacier," could contribute up to twice as much to sea-level rise as previously projected, even without additional global warming. Scientists found that warm ocean water is penetrating miles beneath the ice, weakening its foundations and accelerating its retreat. The revised estimate puts the glacier's potential contribution at up to 30 centimeters of sea-level rise. Thwaites has long been a focus of polar research because its collapse could destabilize much of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, so the finding raises the stakes for coastal planning and for climate models that underpin sea-level projections.

Why it matters：Thwaites is the single largest wildcard in long-term sea-level projections, so a doubled estimate directly affects coastal risk assessments and the climate models policymakers rely on.

Key points

  • Warm ocean water is reaching miles beneath the ice, weakening the glacier's base.
  • The new model projects up to 30 cm of sea-level contribution.
  • The faster melt would occur even without further global warming.

Sources (original reporting)

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