The behavior of Pine Island Glacier (PIG), in Antarctica, has been studied by three research teams. As per the study, PIG is melting irreversibly and could add nearly one centimeter to ocean levels in 20 years.

It is one of the major single contributors to world sea-level rise. In next 10 years, the level of sea could increase by 0.13 inches to 0.39 inches. Data gathered by satellites and aircraft reveals that in recent year, the glacier is shrinking and also its velocity is increasing.

PIG is spread over the area of 60,000 square miles. It contains nearly 20% of ice flowing from Antarctica into the ocean.

As per a scientist working closely on the project, warm ocean waters are responsible for the movement of the glacier. The warm water is moving beneath the glacier and is eroding it. The outcome of the action is that the glacier will leave the land and will turn into floating ice.

Three different computer models were used by researchers to predict future of the glacier on basis of ‘grounding line’.

Grounding line is the area under water where ice shelf and land meet up. Hilmar Gudmundsson from the British Antarctic Survey, says, “Even if you were to reduce melt rates, you would not stop the retreat”.

The revelations have been published in the journal Nature Climate Change.