Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier on verge of breaking way, poses threat to billion lives

Antarctica is on the boil and will have a huge chunk of its Thwaites Glacier giving way soon. Scientists currently monitoring the Thwaites Glacier are of the view that if its breaks away and floats out, it would spell doom for the earth. The water levels are going to rise immensely and waterlog most of the coastal areas. So all the cities situated near the seas would be greatly impacted and most of the inhabitants, which could number more than a billion people would be forced to relocate. That would increase strife and civic issues could be impacted as well.

The Thwaites glacier is said to be hanging onto mainland Antarctica by its fingernails according to a survey. Geophysicists have been scrutinizing high-resolution photos, that have mapped the seafloor alongside the Thwaites glacier, and a chunk of ice, the size of Florida, has them worried. The study revealed that the glacier’s base has broken off from the sea bed, and for the past 200 years has receded at the rate of 2.1 kilometers per year in a time of 6 months.

In other words, the receding speed has doubled in the last 10 years or so. This kind of negates the old idea that Antarctica glaciers are slow to change. So when we consider the issue of climate change and add the problem of the Thwaites glacier then we can relate to the rapid receding of the ice shoreline. More glaciers rapidly receding is going to occur in the future. Results currently show that the rapidly receding glaciers have been occurring for the past 200 years and more recently in the mid-20th century according to Alastair Graham, the lead author from Florida’s College of Marine Science.


He is of the view that a light kick could make the glacier shudder and create a catastrophe. The Thwaites glacier is also called the ‘doomsday glacier”, as the quantum of ice held by it could increase the level of the sea by 3 feet. If a total rapid receding of the glacier happens then we would witness major problems, especially with the sea level rising phenomenally.

FAQs
What is the cause of the sea level rising?
ANSWER: Thermal expansion caused by warming of the oceans and increase melting of land-based ice like glaciers and ice sheets etc.

How would rising sea levels affect us?
ANSWER: Coastal communities can get severely affected due to severe flooding from high tides and storm surges.