If the Doomsday glacier collapses, it would raise global sea levels by about two feet and expose other Antarctic glaciers to the same melt process.
Scientists have discovered disturbing and alarming signs in one of the ice shelves protecting the Antarctic’s so-called “Doomsday glacier.”
The Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf (TEIS) buttresses one third of Thwaites Glacier. It acts like a brace that helps prevent the glacier’s total collapse.
However, according to satellite images taken as recently as last month, researchers warn that the critical ice shelf keeping together the Thwaites glacier in western Antarctica could shatter within the next three to five years.
‘Doomsday glacier’
The Thwaites glacier is called the Doomsday glacier because its total collapse would raise global sea levels by about two feet and expose other Antarctic glaciers to the same melt process.
The glacier, which flows into the Amundsen sea off western Antarctica, equals the size of Florida or Great Britain. It loses roughly 50 billion tons of ice each year and currently fuels about 4% of annual sea-level rise.
Rising ocean levels could potentially cause flooding in coastal areas as well as low-lying island nations. These areas are home to millions of people whose lives and properties can be endangered.
Findings
Researchers presented their findings on the ice shelf during a virtual press briefing on Monday at the American Geophysical Union’s fall meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
They pointed out that warming ocean water as a result of climate change has caused huge cracks to develop in TEIS.
The glaciologists added that as the cracks deepen the ice shelf becomes more prone to surface fractures and could “shatter like a car windscreen” within the next five years.
Citing satellite imagery and other data taken on ice and by boat, the scientists further added that the phenomenon could lead to a number of different scenarios.
If the shelf doesn’t fragment into hundreds of icebergs first, it could become unmoored from the ridge (and therefore the sea floor) and set loose.
Although the eastern portion chipping away only amounts to a relatively small portion of Thwaites, it’s the knock-on effects that could be truly catastrophic.
Scientists fear that an exposed Thwaites could lead to ice cliff collapse. And, once that process begins it could be self-perpetuating, Anna Crawford, a glaciologist at the University of St Andrews noted.
Ted Scambos, a glaciologist at the University of Colorado Boulder and US lead coordinator for the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) told CNN: “There is going to be dramatic change in the front of the glacier, probably in less than a decade. Both published and unpublished studies point in that direction.”
“This will accelerate the pace (of Thwaites) and widen, effectively, the dangerous part of the glacier.”
Urgent action needed
Ella Gilbert, a research scientist at the University of Reading, said urgent action to curb climate change, which is fuelling hot ocean temperatures is needed.
“The polar regions are the canary in the coalmine – they are the symbol of climate change,” she said.
“We really do need to minimise our emissions because if we lose the polar regions, not only are we going to amplify climate change … it will contribute to sea level rise which affects everyone around the globe”.
Share this story: Crucial ice shelf anchoring ‘Doomsday Glacier’ could collapse in five years.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
35% of Brits are now buying less or no meat at all, new survey shows
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 29th June 2022
Rising food costs are motivating Brits to adjust their diets. While vegan food has always been branded more expensive than its meat counterpart, a new survey has busted this myth by showing that Brits are changing their eating habits with more individuals ditching meat in favor of vegan food. The survey The Vegan Society hosted …
Continue reading “35% of Brits are now buying less or no meat at all, new survey shows”
81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th June 2022
“As the US military continues to seek ways to best support the overall health and diverse needs of its loyal service members, we’re calling on lawmakers to require all branches of the military to provide plant-based MRE options.” The majority of US military members want vegan Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE), according to a new …
Continue reading “81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …