Articles | Volume 18, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4971-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4971-2024
Research article
 | 
06 Nov 2024
Research article |  | 06 Nov 2024

Thwaites Glacier thins and retreats fastest where ice-shelf channels intersect its grounding zone

Allison M. Chartrand, Ian M. Howat, Ian R. Joughin, and Benjamin E. Smith

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Cited articles

Adusumilli, S., Fricker, H. A., Medley, B., Padman, L., and Siegfried, M. R.: Interannual variations in meltwater input to the Southern Ocean from Antarctic ice shelves, Nat. Geosci., 13, 616–620, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-020-0616-z, 2020. 
Alley, K. E., Scambos, T. A., Siegfried, M. R., and Fricker, H. A.: Impacts of warm water on Antarctic ice shelf stability through basal channel formation, Nat. Geosci., 9, 290–293, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2675, 2016. 
Alley, K. E., Scambos, T. A., Alley, R. B., and Holschuh, N.: Troughs developed in ice-stream shear margins precondition ice shelves for ocean-driven breakup, Science Advances, 5, eaax2215, https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax2215, 2019. 
Bevan, S. L., Luckman, A. J., Benn, D. I., Adusumilli, S., and Crawford, A.: Brief communication: Thwaites Glacier cavity evolution, The Cryosphere, 15, 3317–3328, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-3317-2021, 2021. 
Blair, J. B. and Hofton, M.: IceBridge LVIS-GH L2 Geolocated Surface Elevation Product, ILVGH2, Version 1, NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center [data set], https://doi.org/10.5067/RELPCEXB0MY3, 2015. 
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Short summary
This study uses high-resolution remote-sensing data to show that shrinking of the West Antarctic Thwaites Glacier’s ice shelf (floating extension) is exacerbated by several sub-ice-shelf meltwater channels that form as the glacier transitions from full contact with the seafloor to fully floating. In mapping these channels, the position of the transition zone, and thinning rates of the Thwaites Glacier, this work elucidates important processes driving its rapid contribution to sea level rise.
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