Layers of snow are shown along the edge of Thwaites Glacier

Into the Thaw: Decoding Thwaites Glacier

Drone footage shows large icebergs that have recently broken off the ice shelf in West Antarctica.

If Thwaites Glacier collapses, it would change global coastlines forever

Scientists fear its collapse could one day destabilize surrounding glaciers and eventually trigger up to 11 feet of global sea level rise.

If Thwaites Glacier collapses, it would change global coastlines forever
Joee Patterson is shown with her arms outstretched while wearing sunglasses and a red safety vest.

For this marine tech, Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier drives home threat of climate change

For this marine tech, Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier drives home threat of climate change
Two yellow tents and a larger dome tent are staked into the snow. At the top of the image is a wing of a tiny prop plane.

These scientists used small explosions to 'see' under Antarctica and measure how fast a key glacier will melt

These scientists used small explosions to 'see' under Antarctica and measure how fast a key glacier will melt
A ma in a bright orange suit holds his left arm in the air as an elephant seal opens its mouth to bellow.

These high-tech seals are charting future sea level rise

These high-tech seals are charting future sea level rise
chef

On a journey to Antarctica, a New Orleans chef awakens to the threat of melting ice

New Orleans native Jack Gilmore brought spicy hometown dishes like étouffée and gumbo to the menu aboard a scientific research ship. But he also learned what the warming of Antarctica might mean for his beloved city.

On a journey to Antarctica, a New Orleans chef awakens to the threat of melting ice
Woman wearing overalls and sunglasses holds and ax with both hands while looking at the camera.

'Hi, I want a job in Antarctica': Meet the first female researchers to blaze the path

In the spring of 1969, 19-year-old Terry Tickhill Terrell walked into the Institute of Polar Studies at OSU and told the secretary, “Hi, I want a job in Antarctica.”

'Hi, I want a job in Antarctica': Meet the first female researchers to blaze the path
Drone footage

This submarine’s historic tour under Thwaites Glacier will help scientists predict sea level rise

Oceanographer Anna Wåhlin brought an autonomous submarine aboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer. It traveled underneath Thwaites to map the seafloor below.

This submarine’s historic tour under Thwaites Glacier will help scientists predict sea level rise
The eastern ice tongue of Thwaites Glacier is shown rising out of deep blue ocean waters.

Is Thwaites Glacier doomed? Scientists race against time to find out.

How quickly will Antarctica’s massive Thwaites Glacier melt, and what will that mean for global sea levels and coastal cities? Researchers recently spent several weeks studying Thwaites as part of a five-year, international effort to try to answer those pressing questions.

Is Thwaites Glacier doomed? Scientists race against time to find out.
The front of the Nathaniel B. Palmer ship is shown at the bottom of the photo breaking through ice floes.

Antarctica Dispatch 9: Thoughts on climate change and returning home

The researchers aboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer are excited to return home after spending weeks studying Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica. While the comfort of their own beds await, there’s also the important work of writing up their research findings.

Antarctica Dispatch 9: Thoughts on climate change and returning home
Grease ice dampens ripples in the water near a golden orange sunset.

Antarctica dispatch 8: Behold grease, shuga and pancake ice

The research team aboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer is starting to wrap up their work studying Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica. As the Amundsen Sea starts to freeze up, the captain of the ship will be constantly on the lookout for gaps in the ice that will carry the ship home.

Antarctica dispatch 8: Behold grease, shuga and pancake ice
Researchers hoist the orange-colored Hugin autonomous submarine onto the deck of the Nathaniel B. Palmer.

Antarctica Dispatch 7: Under Thwaites Glacier

The World's Carolyn Beeler has her latest dispatch from a research trip to Antarctica. Climate change researchers aboard the icebreaker Nathaniel B. Palmer sent a robotic submarine for the first look ever at the seafloor under the massive Thwaites Glacier.

Antarctica Dispatch 7: Under Thwaites Glacier
The eastern ice tongue of Thwaites Glacier is shown rising out of deep blue ocean waters.

Antarctica Dispatch 6: First sight of Thwaites — mapping uncharted seafloor

The Nathaniel B. Palmer arrived at Thwaites Glacier on Feb. 26, roughly a month after leaving Punta Arenas, Chile. During its first day in front of the glacier, the Palmer traced a roughly 100-mile path around the edge of Thwaites mapping portions of the sea floor that were previously uncharted.

Antarctica Dispatch 6: First sight of Thwaites — mapping uncharted seafloor
ship

Antarctica Dispatch 5: Detour, with scenery

A medical emergency aboard the Nathaniel B. Palmer sends the ship and reporter Carolyn Beeler back north just as they’re about to reach the Thwaites Glacier.

Antarctica Dispatch 5: Detour, with scenery
seals

Antarctica Dispatch 4: Fieldwork begins, cue the seals

​​​​​​​How quickly will Antarctica’s massive Thwaites Glacier melt, and what will that mean for global sea levels and coastal cities? Researchers are sailing toward Thwaites this month on the first leg of a five-year, international effort to try to answer that pressing question, and along the way they’re enlisting local seals as research assistants.

Antarctica Dispatch 4: Fieldwork begins, cue the seals