Threat to Greek coasts: Thwaites Glacier's alarming impact
As scientists report, the Greek islands may soon disappear underwater. This alarming phenomenon is caused by the "doomsday glacier," whose rapid melting process caused by climate warming contributes to a significant rise in sea levels.
The "doomsday glacier" refers to the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. Unlike an ordinary piece of ice, Thwaites is an enormous, partially submerged ice sheet that has significantly impacted global sea levels, including the Mediterranean Sea. Climate change, particularly atmospheric warming, has caused the glacier to enter a phase of so-called self-sustaining collapse.
Scientists indicate that by 2025, the last fragment of its eastern ice shelf, although small, is expected to collapse. As the magazine "Scientific American" reports, its significance cannot be underestimated. It currently acts as a plug, protecting the remaining ice sheet from direct contact with the ocean.
If Thwaites fully break apart, it could result in a phenomenon where a significant amount of ice sheet slides into the ocean. Such a drastic change could raise sea levels by as much as 3 metres, which would have catastrophic consequences for coastal ecosystems and human settlements worldwide.
We were hoping it would take a 100, 500 years to lose that ice. A big concern right now is if it happens much faster than that - said Christine Dow from the University of Waterloo.
Will Greece find itself underwater?
As a result of the "doomsday glacier" breaking apart, there is a serious risk that many coastal areas could disappear. Researchers point out that one of the most threatened countries is Greece, which is in the "red zone" due to the high risk of rising sea levels. Over the last 30 years, the country has irretrievably lost about 250 square kilometres of its beaches, an alarming signal of the impact of climate change on local ecosystems and economies.
Costas Synolakis, an expert on the impact of natural disasters, warned that Greece will need to take further measures to prepare for the submersion of an even larger part of its coastline.
By 2050 even, when the sea level is estimated to rise an additional 20 to 30 centimeters, the coastline at some beaches will recede by as much as 30 meters, depending on the incline of the land - noted Costas Synolakis in an interview with ERT station.
