International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration

International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration
Name	International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration
Formation	2018
Purpose	To study the stability of the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica
Region served	Antarctica

International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. It is a major multinational scientific initiative established to investigate the stability and potential contribution to sea level rise of the Thwaites Glacier, one of the largest and most vulnerable glaciers in Antarctica. Launched as a partnership between the National Science Foundation of the United States and the Natural Environment Research Council of the United Kingdom, the collaboration represents one of the most intensive studies of a single glacier system ever undertaken. The research is considered critical for improving global climate model projections and informing international climate policy.

Background and Formation

The collaboration was formally initiated in 2018 following growing concern within the scientific community about the rapid changes observed in the Amundsen Sea Embayment. Research from institutions like the British Antarctic Survey and NASA's Operation IceBridge had identified Thwaites Glacier as a potential linchpin for the stability of the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The urgency was underscored by assessments from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and studies published in journals like Nature and Science. The National Science Foundation and the Natural Environment Research Council jointly funded the ambitious program, modeling it on previous large-scale projects like the Antarctic Drilling Project.

Scientific Objectives and Research Focus

The primary objective is to determine how much and how quickly the Thwaites Glacier could contribute to global sea level rise. Key research themes include investigating the glacier's grounding line, where it transitions from land to floating ice shelf, and the role of warm Circumpolar Deep Water in driving melting from below. Scientists aim to map the underlying bedrock topography and sediment layers using techniques like seismic survey and radar, and to understand the complex interactions between the ice, ocean, and seafloor. The work integrates field observations with advanced numerical modeling to predict future behavior under different climate change scenarios.

Major Projects and Field Campaigns

The collaboration is organized into several distinct but interconnected projects. These include the Thwaites Offshore Research project, which studies the adjacent Amundsen Sea, and the Geology and Bed Properties project, which maps the landscape beneath the ice. Major field campaigns, such as those conducted from the RV Nathaniel B. Palmer and using the BAS Twin Otter aircraft, have deployed autonomous underwater vehicles like the Boaty McBoatface and drilled through the ice shelf to access the underlying ocean. Teams have also established remote camps on the glacier itself, enduring the extreme conditions of the Antarctic winter to gather year-round data.

Key Findings and Contributions

Research has revealed that warm water is reaching the grounding line of the Thwaites Glacier more extensively than previously thought, leading to significant and accelerating melt. Studies published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences have shown the glacier's ice shelf is fracturing and weakening. The collaboration has also provided detailed maps of the seafloor, revealing ancient glacial retreat patterns that inform future projections. These findings have been pivotal in reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and have directly influenced the work of organizations like the World Meteorological Organization.

Participating Institutions and Funding

The effort involves over one hundred scientists and engineers from dozens of universities and research institutes. Leading partners include the British Antarctic Survey, the University of Washington, Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and the University of Edinburgh. Other significant contributors are Pennsylvania State University, the University of California, Irvine, and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. The primary funding, totaling over $50 million, comes from the National Science Foundation and the Natural Environment Research Council, with additional support from agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency.

Significance and Future Implications

The collaboration is of profound significance because the fate of the Thwaites Glacier is considered a major control on the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Its potential collapse could ultimately lead to several meters of sea level rise, threatening coastal cities worldwide from Miami to Shanghai. The data collected is crucial for refining the climate models used by policymakers at forums like the United Nations Climate Change conference. The legacy of the project will be a vastly improved understanding of ice sheet dynamics, setting a new standard for international scientific cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.

Category:Scientific organizations Category:Climate change research Category:Antarctic research