The data indicates that the Thwaites Glacier and much of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could be lost entirely by the 23rd century. This alarming prediction implies that if it collapses fully, global sea levels could rise by two feet, resulting in significant flooding and displacement of people around the world. The implications for coastal cities and ecosystems are dire, highlighting an urgent need for climate action and further research into the stability of polar ice sheets.
Dr Rob Larter emphasized the accelerating threat posed by the Thwaites Glacier, stating, 'There is a consensus that Thwaites Glacier retreat will accelerate sometime within the next century. However, there is also concern that additional processes revealed by recent studies, which are not yet well enough studied to be incorporated into large-scale models, could cause retreat to accelerate sooner.' This highlights the unpredictability and urgency of assessing climate change impacts.
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