Scientists Discover a New Cause of Melting Antarctic Ice Shelves

Research ship the Nathaniel B Palmer at the Thwaites Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Credit: Aleksandra Mazur

The Thwaites Ice Shelf is one of the biggest ice shelves in West Antarctica and buttresses the eastern side of the Thwaites Glacier, which has been retreating rapidly over the last 20 years and is the largest contributor to global sea-level rise among Antarctic glaciers.

The glacial meltwater mixes with saltwater when the ocean melts the base of ice shelves and can form a buoyant layer of water that is warmer than the surrounding waters. This lighter, relatively fresher, and warmer water brings heat that melts the base of the Thwaites Ice Shelf. Researchers erecting a monitoring tower with atmospheric sensors on the Thwaites Ice Shelf. Credit: Karen Alley

By combining the information with computer simulations to identify the origin of this heat, they found that the water that leaves the Pine Island Ice Shelf can access the areas beneath Thwaites Ice Shelf.

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