Massive glacier under threat

One of the world’s biggest glaciers, holding enough water to raise global sea levels by about six metres, is under threat from warming ocean temperatures.

Satellite observations show that the Totten Glacier, located in Antarctica’s Australian territory and bordering the Southern Ocean, has decreased in thickness over the past 15 years. It is more than 30km wide.

Scientist Steve Rintoul said the glacier was once considered to be in the stable portion of east Antarctica, untouched by warmer currents.