Latest

Antarctica’s ‘Doomsday Glacier’ In Trouble As Warm Water Melts Weak Spots

Thwaites, which is roughly the size of Florida, represents more than half a meter (1.6 feet) of global sea level rise potential.

Scientists studying Antarctica’s vast Thwaites Glacier – nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier – say warm water is seeping into its weak spots, worsening melting caused by rising temperatures, two papers published in Nature journal showed on Wednesday.

Thwaites, which is roughly the size of Florida, represents more than half a meter (1.6 feet) of global sea level rise potential, and could destabilize neighboring glaciers that have the potential to cause a further three-meter (9.8-foot) rise.

As part of the International Thwaites Glacier collaboration – the biggest field campaign ever attempted in Antarctica – a team of 13 US and British scientists spent about six weeks on the glacier in late 2019 and early 2020.

Using an underwater robot vehicle known as Icefin, mooring data and sensors, they monitored the glacier’s grounding line, where ice slides off the glacier and meets the ocean for the first time.

In one of the papers, led by Cornell University-based scientist Britney Schmidt, researchers found that warmer water was making its way into crevasses and other openings known as terraces, causing sideways melt of 30 meters (98 feet) or more per year.

“Warm water is getting into the weakest parts of the glacier and making it worse,” Schmidt told Reuters.

“That is the kind of thing we should all be very concerned about,” she said about the findings which underscored how climate change is reaching isolated Antarctica.

The other paper’s findings, which Schmidt also worked on, showed about five meters (16 feet) per year of melt near the glacier’s grounding line – less than what the most aggressive thinning models previously predicted.

But she said the melting was still of grave concern.

“If we observe less melting… that doesn’t change the fact that it’s retreating,” Schmidt said.

Scientists have previously depended on satellite images to show the behavior of the ice, making it difficult to get granular details. The papers represent the first time a team has been to the grounding line of a major glacier, providing a look right where “the action begins,” Schmidt said.

The findings will help in the development of climate change models, said Paul Cutler, program director of Antarctic Sciences at the National Science Foundation. He reviewed the papers, but was not involved in the research.

“These things can now be taken on board in the models that will predict the future behavior, and that was exactly the goal of this work,” he said.

Related Posts

Legacy and Innovation of Eddie Bauer: A Closer Look at a Timeless Outdoor Brand

In the realm of outdoor gear and clothing, few names resonate as strongly as Eddie Bauer. Established in 1920, the Eddie Bauer brand has a rich history of crafting high-quality…

Is Airalo the Ultimate Choice for International Travel? A Comprehensive Review

International travel has evolved significantly in recent years. The need for seamless connectivity while abroad is paramount. Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace, has garnered attention as an attractive…

WP Engine Hosting: Is It Worth the Investment? A Critical Review

In the ever-expanding world of web hosting services, WP Engine has emerged as a prominent player, specializing in managed WordPress hosting. WordPress is the most popular content management…

From Handmade to Vintage: A Critical Look at Etsy’s Product Range

Etsy, founded in 2005, has grown to become one of the world’s largest online marketplaces for handmade, vintage, and unique items. What began as a platform for artisans…

Paramount+ Review: Is the Streaming Service Worth Your Subscription?

In the ever-expanding landscape of streaming services, Paramount+ has emerged as a prominent player, offering a vast library of content from the ViacomCBS portfolio. With a wealth of…

MyProtein: A Comprehensive Review of Their Products and Services

MyProtein is a British sports nutrition company that was founded in 2004. It is now one of the largest sports nutrition companies in the world, with customers in…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *