{
  "id": 10943962,
  "title": "Antarctic blind spot emerges as major sea-level threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/antarctic-blind-spot-emerges-as-major-sea-level-threat",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-29T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Discovered",
    "slug": "discovered",
    "url": "https://braidwoodtimes.com.au/story/9359929/antarctic-blind-spot-emerges-as-major-sea-level-threat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A major international effort is being called for to explore the last uncharted area in Antarctica, known as the Wilkes Subglacial Basin, which could raise global sea levels by up to four metres. Researchers from 14 countries issued the call, expressing concern that little is known about the basin and that models cannot predict when major ice loss might occur. Australia, due to its proximity to the basin, could lead the study, but it should not be done alone. The basin, stretching 1400 kilometres long and 400km wide, rests on bedrock more than 2000 metres below sea level, making it vulnerable to warm ocean waters. The basin has previously retreated during warm periods and contributed to sea level rises in the past. To address the gaps in knowledge, researchers would need to deploy two icebreakers and conduct a multi-year study using air, land, and sea. While Australia could lead the study, it would require multinational collaboration, with nations such as New Zealand, South Korea, France, and the US, to share costs and accelerate findings. The cost of the study could run into the many tens of millions of dollars, but given the risks involved, it is deemed affordable.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}