The term "Doomsday Glacier" refers to the Thwaites Glacier. This is not just a simple, isolated chunk of ice surrounded by rocks but a vast, partially underwater section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. It has a major impact on global sea levels, including the Mediterranean. Due to climate warming, it has entered a phase of self-sustaining collapse.
Thwaites Glacier Is Breaking Apart: Sea Levels Could Rise Dramatically
The Thwaites Glacier is primarily studied by scientists from the ITGC (International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration), who have concluded that it’s losing mass at an accelerating rate. They estimate that by 2025, the last remaining part of its eastern ice shelf could break apart. Although small, this portion is crucial, as Thwaites currently acts like a plug holding back the larger ice sheet. If it disintegrates, the remaining ice sheet could slide into the ocean, causing sea levels to rise by as much as 3 meters. "We had hoped that this ice loss might take 100 or even 500 years. Right now, a big issue is whether it might happen much sooner," said Christine Dow, a professor of glaciology at the University of Waterloo, to scientificamerican.com.
Will the "Doomsday Glacier" Bring Disaster to Greece? Experts Raise the Alarm
The collapse of the "Doomsday Glacier" could cause coastal areas to disappear. According to researchers, one of the most threatened countries is Greece, which lies in the "red zone." Over the past 30 years, Greece has irreversibly lost 250 km² of beaches. Costas Synolakis, an expert in the impact of natural disasters, warned that the country must prepare for even greater losses to its coastline. "By 2050, with sea levels expected to rise an additional 20-30 centimeters, some beach shorelines could recede by as much as 30 meters, depending on the slope of the land. Small islands near sea level will cease to exist," he said on ERT television.
The author of the article is Katarzyna Świderek, journalist at Gazeta.pl.
