Today’s Temperatures Could Lock-in Major Sea Level Rise from West Antarctica

The Cryosphere, 23 January 2025

Improved ice sheet modeling techniques in this study indicate that current rates of ice loss from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet show a strong possibility of future collapse in the region, even with no further warming. If ocean temperatures simply remain at present-day levels for several centuries, the models project that two of the largest glaciers in West Antarctica, Thwaites and Pine Island, will collapse, resulting in global sea-level rise of at least 1.2 meters from these two glaciers alone. Simulations of immediate cooling temperatures down to pre-industrial slowed, but in most cases could not prevent the collapse. This research highlights the potential for significant sea-level rise even without additional warming, emphasizing the long-term consequences communities could face under current climate conditions.

Full Paper: https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/19/283/2025/