Antarctica's Ice Sheet and Sea Level Rise

The New York Times reports today on a recent simulation study that reevaluates the speed of melting and collapse of Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier ("New Study Re-evaluations 'Worst Case' Scenario for Antarctica's Thwaites Glacer").  Estimates depend on how melting exposes unstable ice cliffs that might produce a cascading collapse of the glacier, precipitating a rapid sea level rise that could pose a catastrophic risk to coastal communities.  Using new data on how ice cliffs break apart, the simulation study indicates that this cascading collapse may be less likely than previously feared.  However, the article also emphasizes that there remain many uncertaintities in our understanding of this geophysical process and that this study is unlikely to be "the last word on the matter."