Antarctica's 'doomsday' glacier is predicted to melt soon, this is the danger

 


An important ice sheet on Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier is on the verge of danger within the next five years. It is estimated that during that time, there will be a drastic acceleration of glacier melting.

Thwaites are about 120 km long and reach depths of about 800 - 1,200 m. According to current research, the glacier is already losing about 50 billion tons of ice per year.


This glacier is called the 'doomsday' because its total melt would raise global sea levels by about two feet (60 cm) and in addition, it would also cause other Antarctic glaciers to melt as well.



The melting of ice from Thwaites is currently driving about 4% of annual sea level rise. Rising sea levels can cause flooding in coastal areas that are home to millions of people and many of the world's largest cities, damage property and infrastructure, and cause more violent storms.



For now, the eastern region of Thwaites is likely to be stable, according to Science Alert. There, the ice melts more slowly than other glaciers. That's because the ice sheet protects it from the warm ocean water and holds the glacier in place.


"As it is structured now, this ice sheet acts like a dam. But it won't be for long," Erin Pettit, a glaciologist at Oregon State University, told a news conference at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union.


Cracks or cobwebs that cross the eastern ice sheet are predicted to be crushed into hundreds of icebergs in the next five years. The cracks are described as shattered car windows.


Hey, isn't it really scary to hear the situation in Antarctica? Let's care more about the environment!

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