‘Doomsday Glacier’ could swallow major cities amid collapse risk

Three of the world’s most iconic cities could be submerged if Antarctica’s so-called “Doomsday Glacier” collapses, and scientists say that scenario is becoming more likely.

Climate change has long been linked to rising sea levels, warmer global temperatures, and extreme weather events. But new research on the Thwaites Glacier (ominously dubbed the “Doomsday Glacier”) is putting the potential consequences into sharper, more alarming focus, BBC Science Focus details.

Thwaites Glacier, located in West Antarctica, holds enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by more than two feet. But scientists warn that if it fully collapses, it could trigger a chain reaction affecting the much larger Antarctic ice sheet. The result? A staggering sea level rise of up to 10 feet, enough to drown major global cities like London, New York, and Bangkok.

In March 2025, a study led by Professor Noel Gourmelen, a member of the ITGC, confirmed these subglacial lakes are significantly accelerating ice loss.

“We expected that water draining from the underside of the ice sheet plays a role in modulating ocean melting,” Gourmelen explained. “The sheer magnitude of this lake drainage gave us the opportunity to finally observe and quantify its impact.

“The lake outflow took place in a key sector impacting Thwaites’ stability. The drainage in effect momentarily turbo-charged Thwaites’ ocean-driven retreat.”

That “turbo charge” comes at a time when the Southern Hemisphere is already experiencing higher-than-expected temperatures in 2025, a worrying sign that the glacier could be melting faster than anticipated.

Dr. Alastair Graham, a marine geologist at the University of South Florida and also part of the ITGC, told News.com.au: “If Thwaites Glacier collapses, it would cause a rise of around 65cm (25 inches) in sea level.

“This year is really different. It’s very difficult to recover from this in one season. The game has changed.”

While the full collapse of the glacier may still be decades (or even centuries) away, the latest data shows the tipping point could arrive far sooner than scientists had hoped. And if it does, the world’s coastlines, economies, and millions of lives could be irreversibly altered.

Related Posts

A Lesson in Understanding from My Son and His Girlfriend

My son is 22, and his girlfriend just moved in with us. At first, I tried to be fair — I wanted to give them space to…

The Letter My Parents Left Behind Taught Me the Real Meaning of Inheritance

My parents were never divorced. My brother and I, their only kids, cared for them. “We’re proud of you — you’ll inherit everything.”, they said. After they…

Women who have hands… see more

One of the most exciting aspects of starting a new relationship is learning everything you can about your new partner and sharing intimate details about yourself. Body…

Man bought Tesla for $140,000 and is horrified to learn what it’s worth after just two years.He’d only driven it 37,000 miles 😬Details👇

YouTuber Kyle Conner, from Out of Spec Reviews, recently had his 2022 Tesla Model S appraised, expecting a reasonable return, but was shocked when it was valued…

These are the consequences of sleeping with the…See more

Sleeping with the wrong person can lead to emotional turmoil that lingers long after the physical encounter is over. When intimacy is shared with someone who doesn’t…

Democrats Have Knives Out For Fetterman After He Dared To Cross Them…Even A Little

remains firmly aligned with progressive causes, a stance reflected in his voting record. One analysis gave him a 6% “Trump Score,” indicating he rarely votes in step…