Scientists warn Wilkes Basin melt could raise sea levels by up to four metres

The Wilkes Basin, a massive sub-glacial ice reservoir in East Antarctica measuring roughly 1,400 kilometres by 400 kilometres, has been largely untouched by scientific expeditions. A recent study warns that if the entire basin were to melt, global sea levels would rise between three and four metres, with far-reaching consequences for coastal communities. Moreover, the influx of meltwater could alter the base of the oceanic circulation, potentially reshaping marine life patterns and broader climate systems.

Past warm periods, when temperatures were 2-3 °C higher, saw the Antarctic ice sheet contract sharply, a trend the authors say is now accelerating. The paper urges immediate and sustained observation of the Wilkes Basin to better anticipate its impact on future sea-level scenarios.