Scientists to Drill into Antarctica's 'Doomsday Glacier'

Thwaites Glacier holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by over 2 feet if it collapses.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:31am

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Scientists are embarking on a mission to drill a kilometer deep into the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, nicknamed the 'Doomsday Glacier' due to its immense size and instability. The goal is to understand the forces driving potentially catastrophic sea-level rise, as the glacier holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by over 2 feet if it were to collapse completely.

Why it matters

The Thwaites Glacier is losing ice at an accelerating rate, currently contributing around 4% to global sea-level rise. Understanding the interaction between the glacier and the warming ocean is crucial for improving sea-level rise predictions and informing efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

The details

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) are leading the mission, utilizing hot water drilling to create a shaft through the 2,000-meter-thick ice. The research will focus on 'underwater tsunamis' - large waves generated by the glacier's movement and melting that mix warmer, deeper ocean water with the colder surface layers, accelerating the melting process from below.

  • The mission is set to begin in early 2026.

The players

British Antarctic Survey (BAS)

A leading polar research organization that is co-leading the mission to drill into the Thwaites Glacier.

Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)

A research institute that is co-leading the mission to drill into the Thwaites Glacier.

Dr. Alex Brearley

A scientist at the British Antarctic Survey who explains that understanding the mixing of warm and cold ocean water is crucial for improving sea-level rise predictions.

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What they’re saying

“Understanding this mixing is crucial for improving sea-level rise predictions.”

— Dr. Alex Brearley, Scientist, British Antarctic Survey

What’s next

The team hopes to quantify the frequency and intensity of the 'underwater tsunamis' generated by the Thwaites Glacier, which will help refine climate models and improve sea-level rise projections.

The takeaway

The ongoing research at the Thwaites Glacier serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of addressing climate change and its potential consequences, as glaciers and ice sheets around the world are experiencing accelerated melting that could lead to catastrophic sea-level rise.