Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier is also called the ‘Doomsday Glacier‘. This glacier is in western Antarctica and is the size of Britain.

One of the reasons why the glacier is called the Doomsday Glacier is because it is melting at an alarming rate. It is retreating by about 2,625 feet per year. Scientists estimate the glacier will lose all of its ice in about 200 to 600 years. When it does, it will raise sea levels by about 1.6-2 feet.

However, the Thwaites Glacier melt is also alarming as it will have other effects. Right now, the glacier acts as a barrier of sorts (wall) between the warming sea and other glaciers.

If it collapses, neighbouring glaciers would also be affected. This, in turn, would raise sea levels by nearly 10 feet which would permanently flood many coastal areas.

New studies

This month, two new studies have added more details to what is happening to the Thwaites Glacier.

One study found that warm ocean currents have created a hole nearly 1,000 feet tall at the bottom of Thwaites Glacier and it is getting bigger.

Another study used satellite images to show that sections of Thwaites are breaking apart more quickly than previously thought. the same thing is happening to its neighbour, the Pine Island Glacier.

The Thwaites Glacier melting is such a big issue that the US and UK have created an international agency to study it. The organisation is called the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration.

 

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