'We made it.' Ship arrives at Antarctica's 'Doomsday glacier'
Scientists reach Antarctica’s “Doomsday Glacier” to study melting ice and rising seas—what it means for climate change.
What to Know
- A team of nearly 40 global researchers have succeeded in a treacherous trek through sea ice to study the Thwaites Glacier.
- For a while, they weren't sure they were going to make it, said Miles O'Brien, PBS News Hour's science correspondent, aboard the Korean icebreaker, Araon [AH-ruh-on]. "The sea ice might as well be molasses," O'Brien reported on Jan. 8, 2026.
- Known as the "Doomsday Glacier," Thwaites is a vast expanse of ice roughly on Antarctica's Walgreen Coast, roughly the size of Florida.
- O'Brien and team have reached the neighborhood of the glacier, but more challenges await, including flying two helicopters to Thwaites.
Why It Matters
As temperatures rise, Thwaites remains Antarctica's fastest melting glacier and threatens to raise global sea levels. Researchers emphasize the need for accurate projections of melting ice, which can better help policy makers prepare for climate change.
Discussion Questions
- What was the mooring being used for? What equipment do you see up on the helicopter deck?
- What challenges do you think await the ship's crew? What about the scientists?
- Would you like to go on an expedition to Antarctica one day? Why or why not?
Lesson Plans on Climate Change
Explore more resources for educators to find a wide-range of relevant preK-12 lessons on climate change or supporting young people as they continue to lead the conversation around the climate change crisis.
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
Advertisement
