GoKawiilStudy: West Antarctica's Thwaites glacier retreated fast in past warm periods
Researchers found that a key section of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, including the Thwaites glacier, underwent rapid retreat during earlier, milder episodes of global warming. The findings draw on geological evidence from past climate conditions rather than direct observation of the present-day glacier.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The research suggests that even relatively modest warming in Earth's history was enough to destabilize this ice sheet, which could imply that current warming trends pose a similar or greater risk. Because Thwaites' collapse is linked to significant global sea-level rise, scientists may use these historical parallels to better estimate how quickly the glacier could change in the coming decades.
- Thwaites glacier has retreated rapidly during past periods of comparable warming
- The study relies on geological records of historical climate rather than current satellite data
- Findings could inform projections about future sea-level rise risk
Source: gizmodo.com, 2026-11-11
Published there as: “Earth Has Been This Warm Before. Here’s What Happened to the ‘Doomsday Glacier’”
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