Thwaites “doomsday” Glacier disintegrating faster than thought – The Washington Post

Thwaites Glacier, which can push the sea level up several feet, is being eroded away at its submerged base as Earth heats up, and scientists expect it to recede rapidly over the next few years.

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet, which holds enough ice to raise the sea level up to 16 feet, is under close scrutiny for rapid melt.

Researchers have been concerned about Thwaites glacier for decades, because warmer ocean currents can melt the glacier from underneath, destabilizing it from the bottom.

Researchers have documented Thwaitess rapid retreat with a disturbing set of studies, including satellite data showing ground lines were retreating at about 0.6 miles (1 km) a year. In 2020, they found evidence that warmer water was actually flowing over the base of the glacier, melting it from below.

For more coverage on this story, check the following additional news sources:

1. Thwaites “doomsday” Glacier disintegrating faster than thought  The Washington Post
2. ‘Doomsday glacier,’ which could raise sea level by several feet, is holding on ‘by its fingernails,’ scientists say  CNN
3. “Doomsday glacier” hanging on “by its fingernails,” scientists say  msnNOW
4. Doomsday Glacier Is ‘Holding on… by Its Fingernails’  Gizmodo
5. New Antarctica ‘Doomsday Glacier’ images show how fast it could lose ice  USA TODAY