'Doomsday Glacier' Could Raise Global Sea Levels by 3 cm by 2100
• A recent study published in Nature Communications on 12 October 2026 highlights that Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, also known as the 'Doomsday Glacier,' could contribute up to 3 cm to global sea levels by
• This is double the amount previously estimated. Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory found that warm ocean water is reaching beneath the glacier in ways earlier models did not account for. The study introduces a new computer model that incorporates a 'grounding zone,' a wide area where warm seawater interacts with the glacier, causing accelerated melting. Satellite observations over three decades confirm the glacier's retreat, thinning, and faster movement, aligning with the new model's predictions.
Impact & Risks
The potential 3 cm rise in global sea levels poses a significant risk to coastal communities worldwide, including those in India. Increased sea levels could exacerbate flooding, especially in low-lying areas, and lead to greater exposure to storm surges. The study also highlights a 60% chance that the glacier could detach from the Mouginot Ridge by the end of the century, which would accelerate ice loss and further increase sea levels. This underscores the urgent need for global climate action to mitigate the impacts of rising seas.
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