The potential for this region to cross a tipping point has been raised in the past, but our study is the first to confirm that Pine Island Glacier does indeed cross these critical thresholds, said study leader Sebastian Rosier, a glaciologist at Northumbria University. Many different computer simulations around the world are attempting to quantify how a changing climate could affect the West Antarctic Ice Sheet but identifying whether a period of retreat in these models is a tipping point is challenging. However, it is a crucial question and the methodology we use in this new study makes it much easier to identify potential future tipping points.
Northumbria University experts pinpoint when vast Antarctica glacier could collapse into the sea
Researchers from Northumbria University identify for the first time a tipping point which could cause a catastrophic rise in global sea levels
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Antarctique : un important glacier pourrait atteindre un point de non-retour et provoquer une montée des eaux de 3 m ! futura-sciences.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from futura-sciences.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Credit: Dr Sebastian Rosier
Researchers have confirmed for the first time that Pine Island Glacier in West Antarctica could cross tipping points, leading to a rapid and irreversible retreat which would have significant consequences for global sea level.
Pine Island Glacier is a region of fast-flowing ice draining an area of West Antarctica approximately two thirds the size of the UK. The glacier is a particular cause for concern as it is losing more ice than any other glacier in Antarctica.
Currently, Pine Island Glacier together with its neighbouring Thwaites glacier are responsible for about 10% of the ongoing increase in global sea level.