Thwaits Glacier

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Welcome to the Thwaites Glacier Discussion Forum

Thwaites Glacier — one of the most critical and closely watched glaciers on Earth — is the focus of this forum. Whether you’re a climate scientist, glaciology enthusiast, or simply concerned about our planet’s future, this is the place to share research, ask questions, and discuss the implications of this massive Antarctic ice sheet.

About This Forum

Thwaites Glacier, located in West Antarctica, spans an area roughly the size of Florida and holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by approximately 65 centimeters if it melts completely. Often called the “Doomsday Glacier,” it has become a focal point in climate science because of its rapid retreat and potential to trigger a cascade of ice loss across the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

What We Discuss Here

• Recent research and findings — New data from satellite monitoring, ice-penetrating radar, and field expeditions
• Climate impacts — How Thwaites’ changes affect sea level rise, ocean currents, and global weather patterns
• Scientific methods — Glaciology, ice dynamics, oceanography, and modeling techniques used to study the glacier
• Policy and solutions — What nations and organizations are doing to address climate change in light of Thwaites’ vulnerability
• Broader Antarctic issues — Connections to other glaciers, ice shelves, and polar ecosystems

Guidelines

• Share credible sources and peer-reviewed research
• Engage respectfully with different perspectives
• Ask questions — no expertise required
• Avoid misinformation; we fact-check together

 

Let’s explore the science, stakes, and solutions surrounding one of Earth’s most important glaciers.

Related Links

• Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thwaites_Glacier
• The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration https://thwaitesglacier.org/

Topic

[EARTH CLIMATE]

#228494

Rift propagation signals the last act of the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf despite low basal melt rates

Cambridge University Press: 19 September 2024

Rift propagation, rather than basal melt, drives the destabilization and disintegration of the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf. Since 2016, rifts have episodically advanced throughout the central ice-shelf area, with rapid propagation events occurring during austral spring. The ice shelf’s speed has increased by ~70% during this period, transitioning from a rate of 1.65 m d−1 in 2019 to 2.85 m d−1 by early 2023 in the central area. The increase in longitudinal strain rates near the grounding zone has led to full-thickness rifts and melange-filled gaps since 2020. A recent sea-ice break out has accelerated retreat at the western calving front, effectively separating the ice shelf from what remained of its northwestern pinning point. Meanwhile, a distributed set of phase-sensitive radar measurements indicates that the basal melting rate is generally small, likely due to a widespread robust ocean stratification beneath the ice–ocean interface that suppresses basal melt despite the presence of substantial oceanic heat at depth. These observations in combination with damage modeling show that, while ocean forcing is responsible for triggering the current West Antarctic ice retreat, the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf is experiencing dynamic feedbacks over decadal timescales that are driving ice-shelf disintegration, now independent of basal melt. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/rift-propagation-signals-the-last-act-of-the-thwaites-eastern-ice-shelf-despite-low-basal-melt-rates/B9E07E795F2C543EC7812E12C3DF65A9

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