Update from Thwaites Glacier: when science doesn’t go your way – British Antarctic Survey

Thwaites Glacier [image credit: NASA]

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The scientists are in effect investigating the disputed hypothesis that if Thwaites Glacier goes, the glaciers being ‘shielded’ behind it could or would soon follow. Even Wikipedia points out that this idea has its opponents in some science quarters.
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Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and South Korea (KOPRI) have concluded a highly ambitious field operation at Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica, after instruments deployed during hot-water drilling became lodged within the ice during the final stage of the mission.

The international team was working to install long-term oceanographic instruments beneath Thwaites Glacier, one of the most remote, rapidly changing and unstable glaciers in Antarctica, says the BAS.

The instruments were designed to provide the first sustained measurements of ocean conditions beneath the glacier’s fast-moving main trunk — data that are critical for improving predictions of future ice loss and global sea-level rise.

Thwaites Glacier plays a key role in the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. [Talkshop comment – some scientists believe].

Significant retreat could accelerate ice flow into the ocean, potentially contributing metres of global sea-level rise over the coming centuries. [Talkshop comment – ‘potentially’ equates to speculation].

Understanding how relatively warm ocean waters interact with the base of the glacier is therefore a major scientific priority.

The team of scientists, engineers and field guides spent more than a week camped on the glacier establishing a complex hot-water drilling system. Using water heated to around 80°C, they successfully drilled a borehole approximately 1,000m (3,300 ft) through the ice, just 30cm in diameter. The borehole needed to be continuously maintained, as it would begin to refreeze within roughly 48 hours.

These instruments collected the first-ever measurements from beneath the glacier’s main trunk, revealing turbulent ocean conditions and relatively warm water capable of driving substantial melting at the ice base.

Failure is always an option when you are pushing at the limits of scientific exploration,” said Peter Davis, BAS oceanographer and member of the drilling team. “We know heat beneath Thwaites Glacier is driving ice loss. These observations are an important step forward, even though we are disappointed the full deployment could not be achieved.”

. . .
Looking ahead

This was the team’s second attempt to access the underside of Thwaites Glacier, following an earlier expedition in 2022 that was unable to reach the site due to severe sea-ice conditions.

The progress made this season — including successful drilling and short-term measurements — represents a significant advance and provides vital technical and scientific lessons for future missions.

Full article here.
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Image: Thwaites Glacier [credit: NASA]