The authors said that in a worst-case scenario, where carbon emissions continue unchecked, several ice basins in western Antarctica could suffer rapid and irreversible collapse, leading to dramatic sea-level rise.
The study combined data from 16 ice-sheet models. Despite slight variations in the timing of glacier retreat across different models, they all agree on one main point: once significant ice loss begins, it will be rapid and unstoppable.
“All the models agree that once these big changes start, nothing can stop them or slow them down,” Seroussi said.
What will this mean for sea-level rise?
Sea-level rise is one of the most immediate and tangible consequences of climate change, and the findings of this study paint a worrying picture for the future. Although the rate of ice loss will be relatively slow in the 21st century, a rapid increase in melting after 2100 could have devastating consequences for coastal communities and low-lying areas.
If emissions remain high, higher sea levels will submerge vast areas of land, displace millions of people, destroy island nations and threaten critical infrastructure in cities such as New York, Mumbai and Shanghai.
Even under low emissions scenarios, sea levels are likely to rise substantially after 2100, making adaptation and mitigation strategies essential for vulnerable regions.