Glaciologists from the University of California, Irvine, discovered rapid melting beneath Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier caused by warm, high-pressure ocean water.

The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used satellite data to show seawater flowing beneath the glacier at high tide, creating pressure that elevates the ice sheet.

Warm ocean currents, driven by rising global temperatures, are pushing saltier water to Antarctica, intensifying the melting process.

If the Thwaites Glacier collapses, it could raise global sea levels by over two feet, with estimates at 23.6 inches.

There are growing concerns about underestimating the speed of the glacier's collapse and its impact on coastal communities worldwide.

The study aims to enhance models for predicting sea level rise and highlights the importance of adapting to changing ocean levels and reducing carbon emissions.

The evidence underscores the urgent need for immediate action to address the accelerated melt of Thwaites Glacier and prepare for the consequences on sea level rise.