Antarctic glacier melting 500 years too soon

Satellite records found that a large glacier in Antarctica is thinning faster than initially thought it would when estimated ten years ago.

According to the records, if the Pine Island Glacier continues to melt at the accelerated rates, the main section of it will disappear in just 100 years which is about 500 years sooner than initially it was predicted to disappear.

Research shows that the ice surface of the glacier is reducing at about a loss of 16m each year. This quick melting rate is seen throughout 5,400sq km of the glacier’s total mass which is enough new water to raise the levels of the sea by a stunning 3cm.
Additionally, since stationary ice will begin to be introduced to warm seawater as the glacier slowly melts, the stationary ice will begin to melt as well which could cause sea levels to rise up to 25cm more than they are currently.

All of the research was based on satellite observations of the Pine Island Glacier that was conducted for a 15 year time period and published in Geophysical Research Letters.

The leader of the study, Professor Duncan Wingham of the University of College London said that the research shows that Antarctica has lost its delicate balance due to global warming and other climate change factors. Wingham went on to state that while scientists were aware of this fact, the rate of sea ice in the area is greater than anywhere else in the world which is concerning.

Researchers at the Ohio State University in the United States have also found evidence that suggests the Arctic may also be melting quicker than suspected which also is a cause for global concern.