Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica faces imminent collapse threat

Thwaites Glacier, located in Antarctica, has been experiencing significant retreat for over 80 years, with an acceleration noted in the last 30 years. Recent studies indicate that this retreat is likely to continue and possibly accelerate within the next century due to various factors that are not yet fully understood. The International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), a joint project between UK and US scientists, is actively researching the glacier's behavior and its implications for global sea levels. The glacier is comparable in size to Great Britain or Florida and poses a serious threat to coastal regions worldwide. If it were to collapse entirely, it could lead to a sea level rise of approximately 65 cm, which, while seemingly modest, would have devastating effects on populations living near coastlines. Notably, a significant portion of the global population resides within 150 km of the coast, making them vulnerable to rising sea levels. The ITGC's findings suggest that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, of which Thwaites is a part, could be lost by the 23rd century. Computer models predict that ice loss will continue to accelerate through the 22nd century, potentially resulting in widespread collapse. This situation is exacerbated by warm deep ocean water, which is a primary driver of the glacier's retreat. Experts emphasize the need for immediate climate intervention to mitigate these effects, although they caution that any positive outcomes would take time to manifest. The urgency of addressing climate change is underscored by the potential for catastrophic impacts on millions of people living in low-lying coastal areas across the globe.