Hundreds of earthquakes have been detected near Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the “Doomsday Glacier.” If it collapses, it could raise sea levels by 2 to 10 feet, flooding coastal areas around the globe.
A recent study in Geophysical Research Letters reveals just how fragile this massive ice structure is. Thwaites Glacier is about the size of Great Britain, and its potential disintegration poses a serious threat. Experts and researchers believe that current global warming efforts are insufficient to protect this vital part of our environment.
Seismologist Thanh-Son Phạm from the Australian National University emphasizes the need for a dedicated seismic network in Antarctica. This monitoring system could help track changes in glacier dynamics, which might happen suddenly. Between 2010 and 2023, Phạm identified 362 unrecognized seismic events, mostly occurring in West Antarctica, where Thwaites and Pine Island Glaciers are located. Pine Island is another significant ice mass shrinking due to climate change.
Interestingly, these glacier earthquakes typically register around a magnitude of 5 on the Richter scale and are often tied to icebergs breaking off during warmer months. Antarctic earthquakes, however, remain less understood, primarily because there is limited data on them. Phạm created an algorithm to analyze wave patterns from seismic monitors on the continent, discovering that 245 of the 362 recorded quakes originated from Thwaites Glacier, likely due to icebergs calving into the ocean.
Scientists are worried about the Thwaites Glacier not just for the potential water it could release, but also because it acts as a barrier for the West Antarctic ice shelf. This shelf is crucial because it helps keep more ice from sliding into the ocean.
In 2021, a survey found that 79% of Americans are concerned about climate change and its effects, including rising sea levels. As awareness grows, so does the urgency to understand and address these significant risks.
Keeping an eye on these developments is vital for future planning. We must stay informed about the changes affecting glaciers and their impact on our world.
For more insights, you can read about the importance of monitoring glacier dynamics on trusted platforms like the National Snow and Ice Data Center.
