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.

“Our research has shown that warm ocean waters reach the area and the glacier is more vulnerable that first thought,” Dr Rintoul said. “The next question is what does that mean for the future.”

Australia’s icebreaker Aurora Australis has just returned from a research trip to the glacier collecting water samples that Dr Rintoul hopes will provide clues to the changing environment around the glacier.

“The glacier is not going to melt tomorrow and we are not going to get 6m of sea level rise any time soon, it is not a doomsday scenario.

“But it is important to know what climate change might be kicking off now that might not be able to be corrected in the future.”