Overview

• A new study reveals that the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica began its significant retreat in the 1940s, likely triggered by a strong El Niño event.
• The Thwaites Glacier, also known as the 'Doomsday Glacier,' is crucial for the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and its collapse could raise sea levels by more than 2 feet.
• Researchers used marine sediment cores to reconstruct the glacier's history, finding that both Thwaites and Pine Island Glaciers started retreating simultaneously in the 1940s.
• The study's findings highlight the long-term impact of climate events on glacier stability, suggesting that once a retreat is initiated, it can continue for decades.
• This research is part of a broader effort to understand the implications of Antarctic ice melt on global sea levels, with scientists from the US and UK collaborating in the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration.