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Antarctic glacier passes tipping point for sea level rise

October 03, 2025
Reported by AI

A new study indicates that the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica has crossed an irreversible tipping point, potentially accelerating global sea level rise. Researchers analyzed decades of satellite data to reach this conclusion. The findings highlight the urgent risks posed by climate change in polar regions.

The Thwaites Glacier, often dubbed the 'Doomsday Glacier' due to its vast ice volume, appears to have entered a phase of irreversible retreat, according to a study published in Nature Climate Change. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh and other institutions examined satellite observations spanning 1992 to 2021. Their analysis revealed that the glacier's grounding line—the point where it meets the ocean floor—has retreated steadily, driven by warm ocean currents eroding the ice from below.

"We show that Thwaites Glacier has passed the point of no return," said lead author Thomas Slater, a glaciologist at the University of Edinburgh. This tipping point occurs when seawater intrudes beneath the ice shelf, accelerating melting and destabilizing the glacier's structure. The retreat has been consistent over the three decades studied, with no signs of stabilization.

Thwaites Glacier holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by more than 65 centimeters (about 2 feet) if it were to collapse entirely. It is a critical component of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and its instability could trigger broader ice loss across the region. The study emphasizes that while the full meltdown would take centuries, the current trajectory suggests accelerating contributions to sea level rise in the coming decades.

This research builds on previous observations of rapid thinning in Thwaites, first noted in the early 2010s. International efforts, including NASA's Oceans Melting Greenland mission, have provided supporting data on ocean warming around Antarctica. The implications extend beyond science: coastal cities worldwide face heightened flood risks, underscoring the need for aggressive emissions reductions to slow polar ice loss.

Experts caution that the study does not predict immediate catastrophe but serves as a stark warning. "The changes we see today are the result of greenhouse gas emissions from the past," noted a co-author. As global temperatures continue to rise, monitoring such tipping points becomes essential for adaptation strategies.

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