Unexplored Antarctic ice basin poses massive sea-level threat
The Wilkes Subglacial Basin holds enough ice to raise global seas by 3 to 4 metres if it melts entirely.
A vast unexplored region of Antarctica could reshape Earth's coastlines and climate. The Wilkes Subglacial Basin covers 1,400 kilometres by 400 kilometres and sits largely below sea level, making it vulnerable to rapid collapse as ocean temperatures rise.
If all its ice melted, sea levels would climb 3 to 4 metres. Massive amounts of meltwater would disrupt ocean currents and devastate marine ecosystems.
The basin has already shown signs of instability. Satellite images captured an ice shelf collapse in the 1970s or 1980s.
Scientists lack critical data on the ocean floor and water temperatures around the basin. This makes it impossible to predict how fast the ice will melt.
New technology and Australia's nearby research base now make exploration feasible for the first time. The region is closer to Hobart than to Darwin, yet no human has ever set foot on its ice.
- 1,400 kilometres by 400 kilometres
- Basin size
- 3 to 4 metres
- Sea-level rise if melted
- Up to 2,000 metres below sea level
- Bedrock depth
- Around minus 1.8 degrees Celsius
- Ocean temperature
Why it mattersUnderstanding this basin is essential to predicting future sea-level rise and preparing coastal cities worldwide for climate change impacts.
AustraliaAustralia is positioned to lead exploration of the basin and faces direct consequences from any Antarctic ice collapse affecting ocean currents and sea levels.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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