ABOUT

The last 25 years of satellite observations are too short to determine how Thwaites Glacier responds to ocean and atmosphere changes. Records from the pre-satellite era are required to build a holistic understanding of the glacier’s longer-term history and sensitivity to processes. Seafloor sediments deposited at the retreating grounding line and further offshore are archives of changes in the glacier and the surrounding ocean. Understanding of topography of the seafloor and how it influences ocean circulation near Thwaites Glacier is also needed to assess the stability of the glacier. Consequently, this project focuses on the seafloor, offshore from Thwaites Glacier, and the history of past glacial and ocean change. Uncertainty in model projections of the future of Thwaites Glacier will be significantly reduced by cross-disciplinary investigations seaward of the current grounding line.