Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, often called the Doomsday Glacier, poses a significant threat. If it collapses, it could lead to a sea-level rise of up to 10 feet (3 meters). New findings show that the glacier is less stable than scientists once thought. Recent research highlights over a decade of activity from hundreds of glacial earthquakes shaking this massive ice formation.
Thanh-Son Pham from the Australian National University discovered these earthquakes, which occurred in Antarctica from 2010 to 2023. Many of these events went unnoticed because they produce low-frequency seismic waves. This raises serious concerns about the instability of Antarctica’s melting glaciers.
A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters identified 362 glacial earthquakes in Antarctica. Notably, 245 of these quakes were detected around the Doomsday Glacier, likely caused by icebergs flipping over.
Glacial earthquakes produce low-frequency waves, typically around a magnitude of 5. They were first recognized in 2003, primarily along Greenland’s coast, which is home to the largest ice cap in the Northern Hemisphere. Though scientists believed these events also occurred in Antarctica, they were challenging to detect due to their lower magnitude.
Pham used seismic stations within Antarctica to identify these previously uncataloged earthquakes. Most occurred near Thwaites Glacier, which has seen its ice flow double in the past 30 years, increasing the risk of rising sea levels.
Interestingly, the new study found that these seismic events don’t always align with typical warm air temperatures. Instead, they tend to happen during periods of increased ice flow toward the sea.
Additionally, some earthquakes occurred near Pine Island Glacier, another large ice stream in Antarctica, but these were about 30 to 50 miles (60 to 70 kilometers) from the coast. Their cause remains unclear and calls for more investigation.
Experts emphasize the need to study these earthquakes further to comprehend their causes and effects on glacier instability. Tracking such changes is vital as they play a role in the broader context of climate change and rising sea levels.
Recent statistics highlight the urgency of studying ice melt. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the rate at which glaciers are melting globally has accelerated recently, contributing to an average sea-level rise of about 3.3 millimeters per year. This trend emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of glaciers like Thwaites.
Understanding these glacial earthquakes can help us grasp the bigger picture of climate dynamics. As scientists continue to study these events, the urgency of addressing climate change becomes clearer, reminding us of the impact our actions may have on the environment.
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Earthquakes,glaciers,sea level rise
