A new scientific study has revealed that Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, often called the “Doomsday Glacier,” is breaking apart from the inside, a development that could accelerate global sea-level rise more rapidly than previously estimated.
Researchers found that the glacier, which contains enough ice to raise global sea levels by about two feet (65 centimetres), is no longer failing solely due to melting at its base. Instead, deep internal fractures are rapidly weakening its eastern ice shelf.
The research team, led by Debangshu Banerjee of the University of Manitoba, analysed two decades of satellite imagery and GPS measurements. Their data tracked a fragile strip of ice known as a shear zone, which is stretching and tearing apart under stress, much like pulled taffy.
The study identified a dangerous positive feedback loop. Long fractures form first, followed by smaller, sharper cracks that slice the ice into unstable blocks. As these fractures multiply, the ice shelf loses its ability to remain anchored to an underwater ridge, known as a pinning point.
“Every tenth of a degree has ramifications on communities, on ecosystems around the world. It is particularly important for those vulnerable communities and ecosystems that are already being impacted,” said Adelle Thomas, vice chair of a separate U.N. scientific panel that…
— PBS News (@NewsHour) December 29, 2025Once the ice loses its grip, the glacier accelerates. The increased flow then creates even more cracks, accelerating the cycle of damage. Researchers noted that fracture growth in the centre of the eastern ice shelf now exceeds the rate of ice loss caused by melting beneath it.
Thwaites Glacier plays a critical role in stabilising the wider West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Scientists often describe it as a cork in a bottle. If the floating ice shelf collapses, the massive land-based ice behind it could flow into the ocean much more rapidly.
Although a full collapse would likely unfold over centuries, the researchers warned that actions taken today will strongly influence how quickly that future arrives. Faster ice loss would translate into higher sea levels, increased coastal flooding, stronger storm surges, and rising insurance costs for communities worldwide.
The British Antarctic Survey has also cautioned that if ice loss continues to accelerate, significant portions of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could disappear by the 23rd century.
For coastal regions, the findings underline a growing reality. What happens deep in Antarctica will increasingly shape life along shorelines worldwide.
