Doomsday Glacier, located in West Antarctica, is the world's widest and largest by area
New findings could mean global sea level rise projections are being underestimated
Researchers discover ocean water melting Antarctica's Doomsday Glacier from below
Seawater moving over several miles under the glacier causes vigorous melting
In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have uncovered the potentially dire impacts of ocean water rushing miles beneath Antarctica's Doomsday Glacier. Using radar data from space, they have revealed that seawater is moving over several miles under the glacier, causing vigorous melting and increasing the risk of global sea level rise. The Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, nicknamed the Doomsday Glacier due to its potential for catastrophic sea level rise if it were to collapse, is monitored closely by scientists. This new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that as the salty, relatively warm ocean water meets the ice, it causes vigorous melting underneath the glacier and could mean global sea level rise projections are being underestimated. The findings give a process that is not yet factored into models, which could speed up the pace of ice loss in forecasts. The Doomsday Glacier is the world's widest glacier and roughly the size of Florida, making it a crucial area of study for understanding global sea level rise projections. Improved models and research on critical glaciers can help pin down the numbers for decades instead of centuries, assisting people in adapting to changing ocean levels and focusing on reducing carbon emissions.
New research using radar data from space reveals ocean water pushing miles beneath Thwaites Glacier, causing 'vigorous melting' and potentially increasing global sea level rise projections.
Seawater moves considerable distances over a short time period beneath Thwaites Glacier, increasing glacier melt as freshwater is washed out and replaced with warmer seawater.
The findings give a process that is not yet factored into models, which could speed up the pace of ice loss in forecasts.
Accuracy
Thwaites Glacier holds enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 2 feet.
New research using radar data from space reveals ocean water pushing miles beneath Thwaites Glacier, causing 'vigorous melting'
Thwaites Glacier may be losing ice at a rate of about 50 billion tons per year.
Warm ocean water near the South Pole has a lower freezing point than freshwater, which could further contribute to glacial melting.
Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is undergoing 'vigorous melting' from warm ocean water caused by climate change.
Areas of Thwaites Glacier may be losing ice at a rate of about 50 billion tons per year.
Seawater flows in and away from the glacier with the tides but some of it travels deep beneath the ice formation and becomes trapped.
Warm ocean water near the South Pole has a lower freezing point than freshwater, which could further contribute to glacial melting.
Thwaites Glacier's total loss could cause average global sea levels to surge by more than two feet, and even more in some parts of the US.
Accuracy
Thwaites Glacier is the world's widest glacier and holds enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 2 feet.
Seawater moves considerable distances over a short time period beneath Thwaites Glacier, increasing glacier melt as freshwater is washed out and replaced with warmer seawater.
Thwaites Glacier contains the equivalent of 60 centimeters of sea level rise.
Deception
(95%)
The article contains editorializing and sensationalism. The author uses the term 'vigorous melting' to describe the melting of the Thwaites Glacier, implying a more dramatic and urgent situation than what is actually stated in the study. The author also refers to Thwaites as the 'Doomsday Glacier', which is not mentioned in the study and adds unnecessary fear. Additionally, there are selective reporting of details that support the author's position on climate change.
Thwaites is the widest glacier in the world and roughly the size of Florida. It has been nicknamed the 'Doomsday Glacier' for the catastrophic effects its thawing could have on global sea-level rise.
The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is seen in this undated image from NASA. Areas of the glacier may be undergoing 'vigorous melting' from warm ocean water caused by climate change, researchers say.
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes several statements that are supported by evidence and do not contain any identified logical fallacies. However, there is one instance of an appeal to authority when the authors of the study are quoted expressing concern about the implications of their findings for sea-level rise. This does not detract significantly from the overall quality of the article and does not warrant a significant reduction in score.
][Christine Dow, a professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada and co-author of the study,] said in a press release[
][The worry is that we are underestimating the speed that the glacier is changing, which would be devastating for coastal communities around the world][
A team of glaciologists led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine used high-resolution satellite radar data to find evidence of warm, high-pressure seawater intrusion many kilometers beneath the grounded ice of West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier.
Finland’s ICEYE commercial satellite mission provided data for this research, using InSAR to monitor changes on Earth’s surface.
The study found that circumpolar deep water, which is salty and has a lower freezing point, contributes to the vigorous melting of basal ice.
Thwaites Glacier contains the equivalent of 60 centimeters of sea level rise and is considered the most unstable place in Antarctica.
Improved models and research on critical glaciers can help pin down the numbers for decades instead of centuries, assisting people in adapting to changing ocean levels and focusing on reducing carbon emissions.
Accuracy
Thwaites Glacier holds enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 2 feet.
Seawater moves considerable distances over a short time period beneath Thwaites Glacier, increasing glacier melt.
Warm ocean water near the South Pole has a lower freezing point than freshwater.
Researchers discovered warm ocean water under Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, also known as the ‘Doomsday Glacier’.
This discovery could lead to reassessment of future sea level rise projections.
Accuracy
Researchers discovered warm ocean water under Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica.
Thwaites Glacier is the world's widest glacier and holds enough ice to raise sea levels by more than 2 feet.
New research using radar data from space reveals ocean water pushing miles beneath Thwaites Glacier, causing 'vigorous melting'
Seawater moves considerable distances over a short time period beneath Thwaites Glacier, increasing glacier melt as freshwater is washed out and replaced with warmer seawater.
Warm ocean water near the South Pole has a lower freezing point than freshwater.
