Science Daily reported on the rapid weakening of the Thwaites Glacier

A study conducted by the University of Manitoba's Earth Observation Center with the participation of international experts has shown that the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, known as the "Doomsday Glacier," is destroying its own structure faster than previously thought. This was reported on December 1 in the journal Science Daily.

The TEIS ice shelf, which forms the northern part of the Thwaites system, has been developing an extensive network of cracks in the shear zone for two decades. These defects gradually weakened the grip on the coastal support, which had previously stabilized the massif. According to the researchers, similar dynamics may occur on other vulnerable Antarctic shelves.

The research methodology included an analysis of satellite observations for the period 2002-2022, measurements of ice flow velocity, and on-site GPS observations. Scientists have recorded a four-stage sequence of shelf weakening and identified two key mechanisms. According to their assessment, long cracks appeared first along the direction of ice movement, and then short, transverse ones. This configuration formed a positive feedback: the acceleration of the flow increased the destruction, and the destruction caused a new acceleration.

The authors of the study noted that the connection of the shelf with the reference point, which previously ensured its stability, is gradually weakening. They pointed out that if the current dynamics of cracking is maintained, the ice structure may enter a phase of rapid disintegration.

The second important element of the analysis is to change the role of the reference point itself. The scientists clarified that the facility, which previously provided stabilization, eventually turned into a vulnerability factor. According to the authors, similar processes are already beginning to manifest themselves on other Antarctic shelf platforms, which increases the risk of an increase in the contribution of the continent's ice cover to future global sea level rise.

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