Western Antarctic Ice Sheet Collapse Has Already Begun, Scientists Warn

"Two separate studies confirm loss of ice sheet is inevitable, and will cause up to 4m of additional sea-level rise."

"The collapse of the Western Antarctica ice sheet is already under way and is unstoppable, two separate teams of scientists said on Monday.

The glaciers' retreat is being driven by climate change and is already causing sea-level rise at a much faster rate than scientists had anticipated.

The loss of the entire western Antarctica ice sheet could eventually cause up to 4 metres (13ft) of sea-level rise, devastating low-lying and coastal areas around the world. But the researchers said that even though such a rise could not be stopped, it is still several centuries off, and potentially up to 1,000 years away.

The two studies, by NASA and the University of Washington, looked at the ice sheets of western Antarctica over different periods of time."

Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the Guardian May 12, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Scientists Warn of Rising Oceans From Polar Melt" (New York Times)

"Antarctic Glacier Loss Is ‘Unstoppable,’ Study Says" (TIME)

"Huge Antarctic Ice Sheet Collapsing" (CBC News)

"West Antarctic Ice Sheet Collapse 'unstoppable', Says NASA" (AFP)

"West Antarctic Glaciers in 'irreversible' Thaw, Raising Seas: Study" (Reuters)

"NASA spots worrisome Antarctic ice sheet melt" (AP)

"West Antarctic Ice Sheet's Collapse Triggers Sea Level Warning" (NBC News)