Welcome to our site. Our PSA Project was centered around the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, a growing concern for environmentalists. Along with our PSA, we’ve included some other educational resources linked here. Please enjoy and absorb.
The West Antarctic Ice Sheet, or WAIS, is a large sprawl of glaciers, including the Thwaites glacier, also known as the doomsday glacier. Scientists have been closely monitoring this part of Antarctica since much of the ice sits below sea level. East Antarctica, while still a concern, is above sea level and isn’t as prone to destabilization from warming seawater. Since the WAIS, particularly Thwaites, sits below sea level in a valley-like structure, warm sea water has been eroding the grounding line or the area where the ice meets the earth below. If water undercuts this, the ice above sea level breaks off and melts, contributing to sea level rise. Thwaites is especially a cause for concern because its geological placement essentially makes it a dam for many other glaciers and structures of the WAIS. With carbon emissions constantly rising, bringing higher and higher global temperatures, the window through which humanity can hope to preserve the structure of the WAIS is narrowing.
(P.S. The above informational blurb came from the cut script!)