Thwaites glacier instability

Thread starter jim mcnamara
Start date Jul 29, 2025

AI Thread Summary

The recent paper discusses the instability of the Thwaites Glacier and attempts to estimate the timing and scale of its potential breakup. With a retreat rate of 2 km per year, Thwaites is considered to be moving rapidly for a glacier. This accelerated melting poses significant concerns for global sea-level rise and climate change. The glacier's massive size amplifies its impact on surrounding ecosystems and human populations. Overall, the findings underscore the urgency of monitoring Thwaites Glacier as it continues to destabilize.

Jul 29, 2025

jim mcnamara

Mentor

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JF008118

A recent paper on the attempts to estimate when and how massive the Thwaites breakup may be.

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sbrothy

Gold Member

Wiki says 2 km/year. Isn’t that quite fast for a glacier?

But that doesn’t bode well for the climate, I’m sure. I understand it’s positively massive.

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Thread 'Thwaites glacier instability'

https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JF008118 A recent paper on the attempts to estimate when and how massive the Thwaites breakup may be.

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