Three major global cities—London, New York, and Bangkok—could be submerged if Antarctica’s “Doomsday Glacier,” officially known as Thwaites Glacier, collapses. Scientists say this scenario is becoming more likely.
Thwaites holds enough ice to raise sea levels by over two feet, but a full collapse could destabilize the larger Antarctic ice sheet, causing sea levels to rise by up to 10 feet. This would trigger catastrophic flooding in many coastal cities.
Ongoing research by the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC), launched in 2018, has revealed hidden lakes beneath the glacier that are accelerating its melting. A 2025 study led by Professor Noel Gourmelen showed that drainage from these subglacial lakes significantly speeds up ice loss.
The effect, described as a “turbo charge,” comes amid record Southern Hemisphere temperatures, raising alarm over the glacier’s stability. Dr. Alastair Graham, another ITGC researcher, warned, “The game has changed.”