Thwaites 'Doomsday Glacier' to melt for 150 years

A new study has found that the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica will continue losing ice for at least 150 years, even in an extreme scenario where ocean-driven melting stops completely.

The glacier, known as the "Doomsday Glacier," is considered one of the main risk points for global sea-level rise.

Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and other academic institutions examined the glacier's behavior using three computer models in which they completely eliminated the effect of ice melting caused by ocean water. While the nearby Pine Island Glacier began to thicken and advance back toward its previous position, Thwaites continued to lose ice throughout the simulation period, though at a declining rate.

Melting glaciers, illustration (Photo: Shutterstock)

The findings indicate that the glacier continues to respond to changes that occurred in the past, and that its retreat may continue even without ongoing ocean melting. According to the researchers, cooling seawater alone will not be sufficient to reverse its ice-loss trend over a timeframe of hundreds of years.

The Thwaites Glacier contains enough ice that, if fully melted, could raise global sea levels by approximately 65 centimeters. The researchers emphasize that the findings do not mean the entire glacier will necessarily collapse, but that the current rate of ice loss may continue even under conditions that do not encourage further melting. They warn that reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential, alongside preparation for sea-level rise.