News Climate

3 Antarctic glaciers show rapidly accelerated ice loss from ocean warming

Powerful ocean waves partially triggered this rapid retreat

A satellite image of the Antarctic peninsula showing fractured sea ice in the ocean next to white land.

The breakup of sea ice along the Antarctic Peninsula (seen in this satellite photo) in 2022 has led to the rapid retreat of three glaciers that flow into the bay.

Joshua Stevens, MODIS/LANCE/EOSDIS/NASA, WORLDVIEW/GIBS/NASA

By Douglas Fox

SAN FRANCISCO — Several Antarctic glaciers are undergoing dramatic acceleration and ice loss. Hektoria Glacier, the worst affected, has quadrupled its sliding speed and lost 25 kilometers of ice off its front in just 16 months, scientists say.