Antarctica

Breaking, thinning and melting - Here's what Antarctica's glaciers are coming up against

Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. Image: Unplash/Paul Summers

Ted Scambos

Senior Research Scientist, CIRES, University of Colorado Boulder

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Antarctica

Aerial view of the Thwaites Glacier.
Broken ice where Thwaites Glacier heads out to sea. Image: Ted Scambos

The Thwaites Glacier is also known as the 'Doomsday' glacier.
The Thwaites Glacier is also known as the 'Doomsday' glacier. Image: 66 North via Unsplash
Ice breaks Antarctica Thwaites Glacier
Previously, icebergs that broke away would be replaced by new outflow. Image: 66 North via Unsplash
Some of Antarctica's glaciers like Thwaites Glacier have high velocities of ice flow.
Some of Antarctica's glaciers like Thwaites Glacier have high velocities of ice flow. Image: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

Much of the west side of Antarctica, where the Thwaites Glacier is located, is below sea level.
Much of the west side of Antarctica, where the Thwaites Glacier is located, is below sea level. Image: Bedmap2; Fretwell 2013
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Aerial view of fractures in the Thwaites Glacier.
Fractures are evident in the Thwaites Glacier. Image: Ted Scambos
The Thwaites Glacier ice flowing under its own weight.
The Thwaites Glacier ice flowing under its own weight. Image: Erin Pettit

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Warming water is reaching under the Thwaites Glacier and eroding it from below.
Warming water is reaching under the Thwaites Glacier and eroding it from below. Image: Scambos et al 2017

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AntarcticaClimate IndicatorsClimate Change

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