A new scientific study has warned that Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the “Doomsday Glacier”, is fracturing from within at a pace that could accelerate global sea level rise faster than earlier projections.
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Researchers found that the glacier, which contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by about two feet, is losing its grip on the seafloor due to internal cracking rather than melting alone. The study, led by Debangshu Banerjee of the University of Manitoba, analysed two decades of satellite imagery and GPS data to track structural changes within the glacier’s eastern ice shelf.
An analysis of the expansion of cracks in the Thwaites Glacier over the past 20 years suggests that a total collapse could be only a matter of time. https://t.co/TYwvid4NpR
— WIRED Science (@WIREDScience) December 22, 2025
Scientists focused on a fragile shear zone — a narrow strip of ice that is stretching and tearing under stress. According to the findings, long fractures first form within the ice shelf, followed by smaller, choppier cracks that weaken the structure further. This process creates a dangerous feedback loop, in which cracking accelerates ice flow, and faster movement generates even more fractures.
The study noted that the growth of cracks in the centre of the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf is now outpacing ice loss caused by melting at its base. As the ice weakens, it loses contact with underwater ridges, known as pinning points, which normally help anchor the glacier and slow its movement.
Thwaites Glacier plays a critical role in holding back the wider West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Scientists compare it to a cork in a bottle: if the floating ice shelf collapses, vast amounts of land-based ice behind it could flow rapidly into the ocean.
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While a complete collapse would likely take centuries, researchers warned that current climate choices will strongly influence how quickly the process unfolds. For coastal communities worldwide, the implications include more frequent flooding, higher storm surges and rising economic costs.
The British Antarctic Survey has cautioned that if ice loss continues to accelerate, large portions of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could be lost by the 23rd century.