‘Doomsday’ Glacier Threatens Coastal Areas, Raises Scientists’ Concerns

with 120 km long And more than Thickness 2 thousand metersThe Thwaites Glacier, located in Antarctica, has alarmed scientists and environmental activists around the world. Known as “Doomsday Glacier” and Similar in size to Florida (USA) The melting of the largest ice sheet on Earth represents a rapid change in climate. But why is this worrying?

This is because with Global warmingHowever, the accelerated melting of Thwaites Glacier could raise sea levels by more than 60 cm, which will change the weather patterns we are used to, increase the severity of extreme weather events and directly affect the lives of millions, especially in coastal areas.

Interest in Thwaites also stems from its connection to other glaciers in Antarctica. According to researchers at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), who use underwater robots to monitor the glacier’s progress, the volume of ice flowing into the sea from Thwaites and neighbouring glaciers has doubled between the 1990s and 2010. These robots reach the Thwaites front line on the sea floor, where the ice begins to float.

Commenting on the latest report published on Thursday (19), Rob Larter, marine geophysicist at BAS and member of the ITGC team, acknowledged that the latest discoveries “It indicates that it is about to decline further and faster.”

Available data also suggest that, at this rate of melting, a large portion of the West Antarctic ice sheet could disappear completely by then. 23rd century

Thwaites is located in the wider area of ​​what is called Amundsen GulfIt is currently responsible for eight percent of the current rate of global sea level rise of 4.6 mm per year.

In the face of the increasing rate of melting, the plan was evaluated in 50 billion US dollarsIt was designed by a Finnish researcher to build a curtain on the ocean floor that aims to protect this mass of ice from warm water.

But the outlook is uncertain. Another glaciologist, Eric Rignot, of the University of California, San Diego, explains the concerns that accompany scientists.

“Despite the progress that has been made, we still have a great deal of uncertainty about the future. I remain deeply concerned that this sector of Antarctica is already in a state of collapse.

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