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360 Glacial Quakes Suggest Instability at Thwaites Glacier

1/8/2026

29 2 Full Breakdown

Center

Thwaites Glacier Quakes

A study identified over 360 glacial earthquakes near Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica from 2010 to 2023, indicating significant seismic activity at the glacier's marine end.
The quakes are linked to iceberg calving.
The most active period was 2018 to 2020.
The study implies potential instability and implications for future sea-level rise.

Left

Araon's Antarctic Mission

The South Korean icebreaker Araon reached Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier after a 12-day voyage, with nearly 40 scientists aboard studying the glacier.
The voyage from New Zealand was mostly smooth, with clear weather and swells that let the crew prepare for fieldwork.
After entering the sea ice zone, the ice became dense and impeded the ship's progress.
Chief scientist Won Sang Lee said the navigation challenges were just beginning.

History

Historical Context

Since the early 2000s, research has revealed Thwaites Glacier's alarming retreat, with a net loss of over 600 billion tons of ice between 1992 and 2017, contributing to 4% of global sea level rise. Established in 2017, the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration aims to study its instability, as projections indicate a potential sea level rise of 1-2 meters by 2100, threatening coastal cities worldwide.

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Thwaites Glacier Quakes

A study identified over 360 glacial earthquakes near Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica from 2010 to 2023, indicating significant seismic activity at the glacier's marine end.
The quakes are linked to iceberg calving.
The most active period was 2018 to 2020.
The study implies potential instability and implications for future sea-level rise.

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