At a depth of 609 meters, the researchers used a robot called Icefin to examine the state of Thwaites Glacier, and what they saw is still not reassuring. According to current calculations, the melting of the glacier would raise the sea level by 45.72 cm.

More bad news has been revealed about the Thwaites glacier, often referred to as the doomsday glacier. In 2021, experts from a British-American research program have already warned of drastic changes in the Antarctic glacier, saying that one part of it could break within ten years due to the warm waters beneath it.

Now it has been revealed: the glacier is melting faster than previously thought, as it is cracking, breaking apart and becoming weaker. The joy in the world, however, is that the data the researchers get can help them improve models that predict changes — for example, how much sea level would rise if Thwaites Glacier collapsed.

See also  The amazing sky phenomenon can be observed on Saturday night

the BGR According to his report, the current data was obtained using a tube-like robot called Icefin, which was lowered into a crater 609.6 meters deep, where the most important point of the Thwaites Glacier is located. This is where it meets the Amundsen Sea.

Results two, a nature Published in a study published in the journal (FirstlyAnd second), and it turns out that the rate of dissolution is affected by several factors. For example, the glacier retreated to the ocean floor and began to shrink. This is why doomsday ice thaws so quickly from the inside out. Moreover, individual ice vacuoles also allow warm ocean currents to enter, thus accelerating the melting of individual portions.





However, there is also good news: the glacier’s thin base is melting more slowly than pessimistic models predict. It’s just as important exactly how much the melt is as where it happens — but the rate of melt is still worrying, one expert says, and if glaciers doomsday melt, it could cause serious problems around the world because sea level is rising.

With the help of the Icefin bot, researchers can also examine the glacier in the future, in places where it wouldn’t be possible with other tools.

If you want to know similar things other times, like it HVG Tech department’s Facebook page.



See also  Index - Tech-Science - Rotodyne, another great British vehicle that was never made


HVG

Order the weekly HVG newspaper or digitally and read us anywhere, anytime!


The number of editorial offices independent of the authorities is constantly decreasing, and the ones that still exist are trying to stay afloat in a headwind that is getting stronger every day. At HVG, we persevere, do not give in to pressure, and bring local and international news every day.

That’s why we ask you, our readers, to support us! We promise to keep doing the best we can!