Scientists have discovered under the Antarctic ice a massive hole nearly the size of Manhattan. Given the rapid melting of the ice sarcophagus over it may soon collapse, which will lead to the flooding of cities on the shores of the oceans, including new York and Miami.
Interesting today to discover we share our name with out a huge glacier in Antarctica. Check out the Thwaites Glacier video & project here: https://t.co/gSvq742KU8
Its an issue that’s having a serious environmental impact, we wish the team well.@GlacierThwaites @BAS_News pic.twitter.com/62Mf3l0z7E
— Site Dumpers (@ThwaitesDumpers) January 31, 2019
Based on data from German and Italian satellites as well as information obtained from NASA include penetrating radar aircraft in the framework of the «IceBridge», exploring the surface of Antarctica, scientists from laboratory of jet movement NASA in Pasadena have discovered a huge cavity under the Thwaites glacier in West Antarctica.
«She has dimensions of about six miles and a depth of 1,000 feet, the report says scientists from 30 January in the journal Science Advances. Since the topography of the reservoir under Thwaites is a few hundred metres below sea level and becomes lower in the heart of the continent, this sector can be susceptible to rapid retreat. Several studies have shown that the glacier is already in the stage of destruction and retreat impossible to stop. The rate of retreat of the grounding line is controlled by the topography of the reservoir, the dynamic thinning of ice and melting of the ice shelf, which plays a critical role.»
Major expedition targets Thwaites Glacier https://t.co/aghitIn2at pic.twitter.com/TMwfQP9o5w
— BBC Science (@BBCScienceClub) February 3, 2019
Now the ice shelf is retreating at a speed of 650 feet per year. Apparently, most of the melting that led to the formation of the ice bubble had to happen just in the last three years. Ted Scambos, senior scientist, National data center for snow and ice in boulder, explained to NBC that «if the melting continues at this rate, in 50-100 years the ice shell could collapse — this will lead to increased global sea level by 2 feet». That’s enough to flood many coastal cities, for example new York and Miami.
Engineers at Rothera Research Station in #Antarctica prepare the BAS twin otter aircraft ‘FBL’ for flying over #ThwaitesGlacier to measure ice thickness, geology and survey for future fieldwork https://t.co/Rk8b6XcFsM pic.twitter.com/PoAKIx7Xfl
— Antarctic Survey (@BAS_News) February 1, 2019
American and British scientists intend to extend the scope of observations of the Thwaites glacier. In the framework of the international program is scheduled to be sent to the area special robots-researchers and a group of seals equipped with sensors.
