The retreat of Thwaites glacier
Stage 1
The final point where the glacier rests on bedrock – the grounding line – retreats as warmer ocean water melts the ice shelf, accelerating its break-up.
Ice flow
from continent
Ice shelf
Ocean
Grounding
line
Warm water
Bedrock
Stage 2
The downward slope of the bedrock means that, as the grounding line retreats, it exposes an ever-thicker slice of ice, which eventually breaks away too. This accelerates the flow of ice into the ocean, raising sea levels.
Ice breaks
away
Grounding
line retreats
Warm water
Stage 1
The final point where the glacier rests on bedrock – the grounding line – retreats as warmer ocean water melts the ice shelf, accelerating its break-up.
Ice flow
from continent
Ice shelf
Ocean
Grounding
line
Warm water
Bedrock
Stage 2
The downward slope of the bedrock means that, as the grounding line retreats, it exposes an ever-thicker slice of ice, which eventually breaks away too. This accelerates the flow of ice into the ocean, raising sea levels.
Ice breaks
away
Grounding
line retreats
Warm water
Stage 1
The final point where the glacier rests on bedrock – the grounding line – retreats as warmer ocean water melts the ice shelf, accelerating its break-up.
Ice flow
from continent
Ice shelf
Ocean
Grounding
line
Warm water
Bedrock
Stage 2
The downward slope of the bedrock means that, as the grounding line retreats, it exposes an ever-thicker slice of ice, which eventually breaks away too. This accelerates the flow of ice into the ocean, raising sea levels.
Ice breaks
away
Grounding
line retreats
Warm water
nature.com/articles/s41561-022-01020-2