Antarctic glacier melt peril

WARMING oceans have caused worse melting of Antarctic glaciers than previously thought, Nasa scientists say.

Glaciers that cover an eighth of the east coast of Antarctica, thought more stable than ones on the west coast, have shrunk in height by 9ft in the past decade.

Experts say the ice melt, which causes sea levels to rise, is small compared to the west but points to widespread change.

Alex Gardner of Nasa said: “The systematic nature hints at underlying ocean influences that have been incredibly strong in West Antarctica. Now we might be finding clear links of the ocean starting to influence East Antarctica.”