Greek islands at risk: The imminent threat of the doomsday glacier
As scientists report, the Greek islands may soon disappear beneath the waves. The cause of this worrying phenomenon is the "doomsday glacier," whose rapid melting process, driven by climate warming, contributes to a significant rise in sea levels.
The "doomsday glacier" refers to the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica. Unlike a typical piece of ice, Thwaites is an enormous, partially submerged ice sheet that has significantly impacted global sea levels, including the Mediterranean Sea. Climate changes, particularly atmospheric warming, have caused the glacier to enter a phase of self-sustaining collapse.
Scientists indicate that by 2025, the last fragment of its eastern ice shelf, although small, is expected to collapse. As the magazine "Scientific American" reports, its significance cannot be underestimated. It currently serves as a plug, protecting the remaining ice sheet from direct contact with the ocean.
If Thwaites fully disintegrates, a large portion of the ice sheet could slide into the ocean. Such a drastic change could raise sea levels by up to 3 metres, which would have catastrophic consequences for coastal ecosystems and human settlements worldwide.
We were hoping it would take a 100, 500 years to lose that ice. A big concern right now is if it happens much faster than that - said Christine Dow from the University of Waterloo.
Will Greece find itself underwater?
As a result of the "doomsday glacier" breaking apart, there is a serious risk that many coastal areas could vanish. Researchers point out that one of the most threatened countries is Greece, which has found itself in the "red zone" due to the high risk of rising sea levels. Over the last 30 years, the country has permanently lost about 250 square kilometres of its beaches, an alarming indication of the impact of climate changes on local ecosystems and economies.
Costas Synolakis, an expert on the impact of natural disasters, warned that Greece will need to take further measures to prepare for the submersion of an even larger part of its coastline.
By 2050 even, when the sea level is estimated to rise an additional 20 to 30 centimeters, the coastline at some beaches will recede by as much as 30 meters, depending on the incline of the land - noted Costas Synolakis in an interview with ERT station.
