Greenland and Antarctica ‘May Be Vulnerable to Rapid Ice Loss Through Catastrophic Disintegration’

Humanity faces 70 feet of sea level rise, possibly coming much sooner than has been expected if we continue with unrestricted carbon pollution.  Two recent studies underscore our perilous situation.

The first study found “East Antarctica’s Ice Sheet Not as Stable as Thought,” as Science reported.  This conclusion is consistent with other recent research that found we’re all but certain to end up with a coastline at least flooded by 20 meters (70 feet).

Some take solace in the notion that this amount of sea level rise might take more than a thousand years.  But a second study finds “stretches of ice on the coasts of Antarctica and Greenland are at risk of rapidly cracking apart and falling into the ocean.”

The lead author, Jeremy Bassis from the University of Michigan, explained that if this new analysis is right, “we might be closer to the higher end of sea level rise estimates for the next 100 years.”  That “higher end” is about 5 or 6 feet.

Here’s a video of Bassis discussing his findings:



Greenland and Antarctica ‘May Be Vulnerable to Rapid Ice Loss Through Catastrophic Disintegration’