Scientists have come up with a radical plan for stopping the melting of massive Antarctic glaciers, which can lead to catastrophic flooding on the US East Coast.

The researchers have said that by installing a giant&nbsp;underwater curtain, they can thicken the artificial glaciers with seawater or they can cool the bedrock to mitigate warm waters from entering the Thwaites Glacier, also called the "Doomsday Glacier".

The&nbsp;Thwaites Glacier has been melting at an accelerated speed because of climate change&nbsp;and is likely to raise global sea levels by 10 feet, with some fearing that coastal cities like New York,&nbsp;Charleston, Atlantic City, and Miami will be flooded.

To avoid this catastrophic flooding, researchers headed by the Climate Systems Engineering Initiative at the University of&nbsp;Chicago published a report in which they called the proposed idea a "major initiative".&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-figure-out-a-way-to-refreeze-ice-in-arctic-amid-bleak-glacial-future-761830">Scientists figure out a way to refreeze ice in Arctic amid bleak glacial future</a>

Professor of geophysical sciences and co-author of the white paper, Douglas MacAyeal, said, "Our argument is that we should start funding this research now, so that we aren't making panicked decisions down the road when the water is already lapping at our ankles."

<h2>Here's how researchers plan to save 'Doomsday Glacier'</h2>

In the new report, one proposal said that seawater can be pumped on the surface of the Doomsday Glacier where it will freeze because of cold air temperatures and thicken the glacier. However, the idea comes with its risks and costs, warned the authors.

The seawater's salinity can damage the ice's structural integrity and energy is required for pumping large volumes of seawater.

UK startup Real Ice has been working on the idea of pumping seawater since 2019. Earlier, the field trials showed promising results in Canada, however, its deployment at a large scale will cost around $6 billion per year and need enormous energy input.

Watch:&nbsp;Melting Glaciers Raise Eruption Risk Worldwide

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/melting-glaciers-raise-eruption-risk-worldwide-771018/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Scientists also proposed other geoengineering solutions for stopping the melting of the glacier.

According to some experts, the ideas are "radical" and said that geoengineering "would be difficult or impossible to achieve and draw focus away from the more necessary&nbsp; conversation of reducing carbon emissions."

Climate economist at the Columbia Climate School, Gernot Wagner, said, "When we talk about glacial geoengineering, we need to tell the truth, which is that it's not a solution to climate change - at best, it's a painkiller."

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists have come up with a radical plan for stopping the melting of massive Antarctic glaciers, which can lead to catastrophic flooding on the US East Coast.

Scientists have come up with a radical plan for stopping the melting of massive Antarctic glaciers, which can lead to catastrophic flooding on the US East Coast. The researchers have said that by installing a giant underwater curtain, they can thicken the artificial glaciers with seawater or they can cool the bedrock to mitigate warm waters from entering the Thwaites Glacier, also called the "Doomsday Glacier". The Thwaites Glacier has been melting at an accelerated speed because of climate change and is likely to raise global sea levels by 10 feet, with some fearing that coastal cities like New York, Charleston, Atlantic City, and Miami will be flooded. To avoid this catastrophic flooding, researchers headed by the Climate Systems Engineering Initiative at the University of Chicago published a report in which they called the proposed idea a "major initiative". Also Read: Scientists figure out a way to refreeze ice in Arctic amid bleak glacial future Professor of geophysical sciences and co-author of the white paper, Douglas MacAyeal, said, "Our argument is that we should start funding this research now, so that we aren't making panicked decisions down the road when the water is already lapping at our ankles." Here's how researchers plan to save 'Doomsday Glacier' In the new report, one proposal said that seawater can be pumped on the surface of the Doomsday Glacier where it will freeze because of cold air temperatures and thicken the glacier. However, the idea comes with its risks and costs, warned the authors. The seawater's salinity can damage the ice's structural integrity and energy is required for pumping large volumes of seawater. UK startup Real Ice has been working on the idea of pumping seawater since 2019. Earlier, the field trials showed promising results in Canada, however, its deployment at a large scale will cost around $6 billion per year and need enormous energy input. Watch: Melting Glaciers Raise Eruption Risk Worldwide Scientists also proposed other geoengineering solutions for stopping the melting of the glacier. According to some experts, the ideas are "radical" and said that geoengineering "would be difficult or impossible to achieve and draw focus away from the more necessary conversation of reducing carbon emissions." Climate economist at the Columbia Climate School, Gernot Wagner, said, "When we talk about glacial geoengineering, we need to tell the truth, which is that it's not a solution to climate change - at best, it's a painkiller." (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists plan to install giant underwater curtain to stop 'Doomsday Glacier' from melting

Geoengineers are trying to configure innovative technologies to slow down glacier melting and prevent the "doomsday glacier" and others from collapsing. One such idea requires a whopping $50 billion.

Geoengineers are trying to configure innovative technologies to slow down glacier melting and prevent the "doomsday glacier" and others from collapsing. One such idea requires a whopping $50 billion. Thwaites Glacier, often called the "doomsday glacier", blocks warming sea waters from reaching other glaciers. But it is now on the move and its collapse would prompt the sea level to rise by 10 more feet. Already, the melting glacier contributes four per cent to the global sea rise level. Since the year 2000, it has lost over 1,000 billion tonnes of ice. Thus, geoengineers have been working to find solutions to this massive problem which can someday lead to catastrophe, flooding several cities across the world. The latest one is underwater curtains. John Moore, a glaciologist and geoengineer researcher at the University of Lapland, wants to install massive 62-mile-long underwater curtains to prevent the warm seawater from reaching the glaciers. However, he requires a whopping $50 billion to make it happen. ALSO READ | Four astronauts begin 6-month mission aboard ISS as SpaceX Dragon 'Endeavour' docks successfully These underwater curtains would stop the flow of warm currents to the Thwaites to prevent the melting. They will also provide the ice shelf time to rebuild. However, all this is right now just in theory. Moore and his team, currently testing prototypes, are figuring out a way to install the curtains on the Amundsen seafloor to stall the melting. The underwater curtains idea is not new. Moore proposed a similar solution back in 2018. Instead of curtains, he suggested building a massive wall. However, he switched to curtains, as it was a safer option. Moore explained that the underwater curtains are as effective in blocking the warm water from melting the glacier. They are easier to remove if necessary. "Any intervention should be something that you can revert if you have second thoughts," he said. Researchers at the University of Cambridge are testing a three-foot-long version of this technology inside small tanks. Once they prove the functionality of this innovation, they'll head to River Cam to test it. Moore said they' either install them at the river bottom or will pull them behind a boat. If everything goes well, they will try a set of 33-foot-long underwater curtains in a Norwegian fjord in about two years. (With inputs from agencies)

Underwater curtains can save the 'Doomsday glacier'. But there is a massive price tag attached

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