Six nations are facing the imminent threat of complete submersion due to the fracturing of the “Doomsday Glacier.” This alarming news was reported on June 1st by the Daily Express (DE).
“A colossal ice formation, comparable in size to Great Britain, is on the verge of detaching from Antarctica, placing several countries in grave danger of disappearing entirely,” the publication highlights.
According to the newspaper, this behemoth glacier, the largest of its kind globally, is under intense scrutiny by climatologists. Its potential to dramatically elevate global sea levels is a primary concern. It is estimated that this glacier harbors enough ice to raise sea levels by over 60 centimeters if it were to melt entirely.
The United Kingdom is identified as one of the nations most vulnerable to inundation from rising sea levels. The Netherlands is another country at significant risk, with densely populated urban centers such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague being largely situated below sea level. Certain areas within the United States also face the peril of being submerged.
Furthermore, nearly 70% of Bangladesh’s landmass lies at an elevation of less than 1 meter above sea level. By the year 2100, over 90% of the Maldives could be underwater. The island nation of Tuvalu, with its modest area of just 26 square kilometers, is also at risk of vanishing from the world map.
In an interview with the popular science online publication Live Science on May 29th, marine geophysicist Robert Larter of the British Antarctic Survey stated that the ice shelf buttressing the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, often referred to as the “Doomsday Glacier,” could collapse as early as this year. He explained that this collapse would likely result in its detachment and potential complete disintegration.
About the Author
