Ice sheets can collapse into the ocean at speeds of up to 600 meters per day, according to a study based on sea floor sediment formations from the last ice age. This finding serves as a warning for the current climate crisis and its effects on ice sheets. The research suggests that certain ice sheets in Antarctica, including the Thwaites glacier, may experience rapid collapse in the near future, leading to accelerated sea level rise. Rising sea levels pose a significant long-term threat to coastal cities worldwide, as they become more vulnerable to storm surges and flooding. The study highlights the importance of understanding the rates of ice sheet retreat in order to improve sea defense predictions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ice sheets collapsing faster | Ice sheet collapse rate | More rapid and extensive ice sheet collapse | Climate crisis and global heating |
| Spurts of ice collapse | Speed of ice sheet retreat | Short bursts of rapid ice loss | Climate crisis and global heating |
| Warning to future | Impact of ice sheet collapse | Increased vulnerability to sea level rise | Climate crisis and global heating |
| Potential sea level rise | Long-term impacts of global heating | Rising sea levels for major cities | Climate crisis and global heating |
| Use of sediment formations | Data on ice sheet collapse | Improved predictions of future ice loss | Understanding past ice sheet behavior |