Giant Cavern the Size of Manhattan Under Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica – how was satellite and airborne radar data combined?

Okay, here’s a more human-sounding version of the article, aiming for a conversational and engaging tone:

The “Doomsday Glacier,” as they call it – Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica – isn’t just sitting there, minding its own business. Turns out, it’s got a secret: a massive, hidden cavern lurking underneath, big enough to swallow Manhattan whole! And get this – we didn’t even see it directly. It was clever detective work, piecing together data from satellites and airplanes zipping overhead with radar. Figuring out how they pulled that off is key to understanding just how shaky this whole glacier situation is, and what it means for our future coastlines.

Now, Thwaites is a beast of a glacier, seriously – about the size of Florida. It’s already responsible for roughly 4% of the sea-level rise we’re seeing. But the real kicker? If it collapses, things could get dicey fast. We’re talking about potentially destabilizing neighboring glaciers and turning up the sea-level volume knob significantly. So, yeah, finding a cavity that size underneath it is a bit like discovering a crack in the foundation of a skyscraper.

So, how did they find this hidden room? Well, it’s a bit like having two different sets of eyes, each with its own strengths. They used satellite radar interferometry (InSAR) and airborne radar sounding. Think of it as a tag team effort.

InSAR, that’s the satellite view, is like watching the glacier breathe from space. These satellites bounce radar signals off the ice, and by comparing images taken at different times, scientists can spot even the tiniest changes in the surface – we’re talking centimeters! These subtle shifts can hint at melting or, you guessed it, voids underneath. InSAR gives you the big picture, helping researchers pinpoint areas that need a closer look.

Then comes the airborne radar, the ice-penetrating kind. Imagine flying a plane with radar equipment that shoots radio waves down through the ice. These waves bounce back off the bedrock and any water-filled spaces. By timing how long it takes for the signals to return, you can map the ice thickness, the shape of the ground below, and where water’s pooling. It’s like an ultrasound for glaciers! This gives you super-detailed data, but you can only cover so much ground with each flight.

The real magic happened when they put these two datasets together. The satellite data flagged some weird surface changes, basically saying, “Hey, something’s going on down there!” That’s when the planes swooped in with their radar to confirm the cavity and measure it precisely.

And what a cavity it is! We’re talking about 40 square kilometers – Manhattan-sized – and almost 300 meters tall. The scientists reckon it formed because relatively warm ocean water is sneaking in under the glacier, melting the ice from below. They estimate about 14 billion tons of ice used to fill that space. Gone.

Why does this matter? Simple: it’s weakening the glacier. That cavity reduces the contact between the ice and the bedrock, making it easier for the glacier to slide into the ocean. It’s like taking the brakes off a car on a hill. And that warm water keeps nibbling away at the ice, potentially leading to even more melting. It’s a vicious cycle.

This discovery is a testament to how far we’ve come with remote sensing. As our climate keeps changing, these technologies are going to be crucial for keeping tabs on glaciers and ice sheets. The work being done on Thwaites, combining satellite and airborne radar, is vital for making informed decisions and trying to minimize the impact of climate change on coastal communities. Honestly, it’s a race against time, and these scientists are on the front lines.