International Team Initiates Drilling on Thwaites Glacier to Study Subsurface Melting
Researchers from the UK and South Korea have commenced drilling into Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier to investigate how warm ocean waters are affecting its stability.
An international team of scientists from the United Kingdom and South Korea has begun a drilling mission on the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, aiming to understand how warm ocean waters are melting the glacier from below.
The Thwaites Glacier, approximately the size of Great Britain, is one of the largest and fastest-changing glaciers on Earth. Its complete collapse could raise global sea levels by up to 65 centimeters. Despite its significance, the processes driving its subsurface melting remain poorly understood.
The research focuses on the grounding line—the point where the glacier transitions from resting on the seabed to floating as an ice shelf. This area is particularly vulnerable to warm ocean waters that can accelerate melting. Using a hot water drill, the team plans to bore through up to 1,000 meters of ice to install instruments that will provide long-term data on ocean temperatures and currents beneath the ice shelf.
These instruments are expected to transmit daily data via satellite for at least one year, offering near real-time insights into the interactions between the ocean and the ice.
The expedition presents significant technical and logistical challenges. The study area is heavily crevassed and rapidly moving, accessible only by helicopter. Over 40 flights were required to transport approximately 25 tons of equipment to the drilling site.
The data collected are anticipated to enhance models of future sea-level rise, contributing to a better understanding of climate change impacts and aiding coastal regions worldwide in preparing for rising sea levels.