In a worrisome development, Scientists studying Antarctica's vast Thwaites Glacier - nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier - say warm water is seeping into its weak spots and as a result, it is melting its weak spot. The warning bell over Doomsday Glacier was published by scientists on Wednesday in two journals saying that the Glacier in Antarctica which is approx the size of Florida is breaking up due to warm water siping into its weak spot and gradually melting it. The reports further suggested that t breakup of the Thwaites Glacier would raise sea levels 1.6 feet and destabilize other glaciers. Researchers say its main trunk looks like "sugar cubes."
What is Thwaites Glacier or Doomsday Glacier?
For the unversed, Thwaites or Doomsday Glacier, 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 published papers over the doomsday glacier melting 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. Furthermore, 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.
It is pertinent to mention here that Scientists have been 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.
Netizens react over Doomsday glacier melting
A user wrote, "reminder: scientists have discovered weaknesses in the ice shelf holding back Antarctica’s 'doomsday' glacier suggesting it could shatter within the next 2 to 4 years"
reminder: scientists have discovered weaknesses in the ice shelf holding back Antarctica’s 'doomsday' glacier suggesting it could shatter within the next 2 to 4 years 🧵
— Ben See (@ClimateBen) December 20, 2022
"The Thwaites Glacier — dubbed the “doomsday glacier” is disintegrating faster than predicted. It's roughly the size of Florida and could raise sea levels by 3 to 10 feet. There is no time to wait. #ActOnClimate," wrote another user.
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The Thwaites Glacier — dubbed the “doomsday glacier” is disintegrating faster than predicted. It's roughly the size of Florida and could raise sea levels by 3 to 10 feet.
— Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) September 13, 2022
There is no time to wait. #ActOnClimate #ClimateEmergency #climate #energy #renewables #GreenNewDeal pic.twitter.com/ouHAXpQUKy