The Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the “Doomsday Glacier,” faces an imminent collapse that could dramatically impact global sea levels and coastal communities. Recent findings published by the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC) indicate that growing cracks in the glacier’s ice shelf are significantly undermining its structural integrity. This alarming development has been observed over the past two decades, raising urgent concerns among scientists.
Research from a team at the University of Manitoba reveals that satellite data collected from 2002 to 2022 show extensive fracturing of the glacier. The study highlights a notable increase in the total area length of fractures, which has expanded from approximately 100 miles to over 200 miles. Despite this growth in area, the average length of the cracks has decreased, suggesting that new stresses are impacting the glacier’s stability.
Accelerating Retreat and Rising Sea Levels
Should the Thwaites Glacier collapse, it could contribute to a global sea level rise of up to 11 feet, threatening tens of millions of people living in coastal regions. The ITGC’s 2025 report underscores that the glacier’s retreat has accelerated considerably over the past 40 years. While a total collapse may not occur in the immediate future, the report states that the glacier is likely to continue retreating more rapidly throughout the 21st and 22nd centuries.
Another critical aspect of the situation is the influence of warming ocean waters. Recent studies have shown that these waters are melting ice shelves like the Thwaites Glacier at an alarming rate. Observations indicate that ocean conditions can change not just over years, but within mere hours and days. Swirling eddies of warmer water, some measuring up to six miles across, are eroding the glacier from beneath.
The Feedback Loop of Climate Change
Researchers have identified a concerning feedback loop exacerbating the situation. Cold water released from the melting ice shelf mixes with warmer, saltier ocean waters, resulting in further turbulence and accelerated ice melting. According to Lia Siegelman, assistant professor at UC San Diego and co-author of the study, “This positive feedback loop could gain intensity in a warming climate.”
There is an urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address these environmental challenges. The ITGC emphasizes that immediate and sustained climate change mitigation, particularly decarbonization efforts, presents the best opportunity to delay ice loss from the Thwaites Glacier and prevent similar destabilization in other parts of East Antarctica.
As research continues to uncover the profound implications of global warming on the Doomsday Glacier, one thing remains clear: action is essential to avert a potential crisis that could reshape coastlines and impact millions worldwide.
