Raging Ocean Waters Surge Beneath 'Doomsday Glacier', Foreshadowing Impending Sea Level Catastrophe

Study reveals alarming rate of ice melt beneath 'Doomsday Glacier' in Antarctica

New research suggests the rate of ice melt beneath the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, nicknamed the "Doomsday Glacier" due to its potential for catastrophic sea level rise, may be significantly higher than previously thought.

The culprit? Warm ocean water eating away at the glacier from below.

The study, published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used high-resolution satellite radar data to create a detailed picture of changes to the Thwaites Glacier's grounding line, the critical point where the glacier transitions from resting on the seabed to becoming a floating ice shelf.

The research revealed that seawater is rapidly entering cavities beneath the glacier, pushing miles inland with the tides. This warm water melts the ice, and as freshwater escapes, it's replaced by even more seawater, further accelerating the melt rate.

"This process of widespread, enormous seawater intrusion will increase the projections of sea level rise from Antarctica," said Eric Rignot, co-author of the study and professor of Earth system science at the University of California, Irvine.

The study's findings are concerning because they suggest current models may underestimate the rate of ice melt from the Thwaites Glacier, which already contributes 4% to global sea level rise and holds enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 2 feet on its own.

While the long-term implications of this rapid melt rate remain unclear, the research adds to growing evidence that Antarctica is experiencing a "lasting regime shift" as a result of climate change.