Antarctic glacier 'thinning fast'

One of the biggest glaciers in Antarctica is getting thinner four times more quickly than 10 years

ago.

Scientists have been studying Pine Island glacier in west Antarctica and found that the surface of the ice is dropping by 16m a year.

Since 1994, the level of the ice has dropped by 90m, which could lead to a rise in sea levels.
It's feared that if Pine Island Glacier breaks up, other glaciers in the Antarctic could soon follow.

It was thought the glacier would last for at least 600 more years, but the new study suggest it's only got 100 years left.

The glacier is important because if it disappears, other parts of the ice sheet in Antarctica could become unstable.

Pine Island Glacier is thought to act like a cork in a bottle, holding other glaciers in place.
If they break up, it could lead to a big rise in sea levels.

-Nathan133