Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier is melting at a faster rate than previously estimated, potentially doubling its contribution to sea level rise.

What it means

New research shows that Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier—nicknamed the 'Doomsday Glacier'—is losing ice faster than previous estimates, potentially doubling its contribution to sea-level rise. This immense glacier, roughly the size of Great Britain or Senegal, acts as a plug holding back the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, and its accelerated melting threatens coastal communities worldwide.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is based on a new scientific study, reported by multiple reputable news outlets including Anadolu Agency, Al Jazeera, CNN, and the Times of India. The primary source is likely a peer-reviewed paper or official research release from the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration. The reporting closely follows that source, and the provenance tier ('reports a named primary source (reputable secondary)') confirms the solidity of the coverage.

How new

Genuinely new: the reporting wave is from October 16–17, 2026, following a study published or announced within the past few days.

Past coverage