Antarctic Glacier Retreat: Scientists Monitor Alarming Speed

Scientists have used satellite data to track the rapid retreat of the Cadman Glacier in the Antarctic, which lost eight kilometers of ice between November 2018 and May 2021. The collapse of the ice shelf at the end of the glacier, caused by warmer ocean waters, led to a doubling of the glacier's speed and increased ice discharge into the sea. The researchers warn that apparently stable glaciers can switch rapidly and lose large quantities of ice due to climate change, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring of polar regions. The Cadman Glacier's collapse serves as an example of a glaciological tipping point, highlighting the vulnerability of other glaciers on the Antarctic Peninsula.