Learning English from the News Fastest glacier melt in modern history
Nov 5, 2025
A glacier in Antarctica has experienced an astonishing 50% shrinkage in just two months, marking the fastest retreat in modern history. The hosts discuss the alarming implications of this rapid melt, linking it to rising sea levels and potential threats for coastal regions. They dive into the scientific investigation behind this phenomenon, likening it to a modern whodunit as researchers seek to uncover its causes. Each topic is enriched with vocabulary lessons, making the conversation both informative and engaging.
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Record Fast Glacier Retreat
- Hectoria glacier shrank nearly 50% in two months, an unprecedented modern retreat.
- Scientists warn similar rapid melts could accelerate global sea level rise.
Seabed Glaciers Can Collapse Rapidly
- Hectoria sits on the seabed and typically retreats only a few hundred metres a year.
- But it retreated eight kilometres between November and December 2022, far beyond normal rates.
Alarming Signals Urgent Concern
- The New Scientist headline called the glacier's retreat 'alarming' to show serious concern.
- Alarming implies danger and urgency about rapid environmental changes.