Rapid melting of 'sleeping giant' Antarctic glacier

A rapidly melting Antarctic glacier containing enough ice to raise global sea levels by 1.5m will be put under the microscope on a landmark research trip.

Australia's icebreaker Nuyina will set off on its maiden dedicated science voyage on February 28 to study the critically important Denman Glacier region.

Research suggests the glacier, about 5000km south of Australia in a remote part of East Antarctica, has retreated 5km in the past two decades.

One of the largest glaciers on the frozen continent, it is 16km wide and 110km long and contains a canyon reaching 3.5km below sea level.

"It is a huge glacial system and it's melting at pace," Australian Antarctic Division head Emma Campbell said on Friday.

"It holds enough ice to increase global sea levels by 1.5m so it is vital that we understand the factors impacting it."

The voyage includes 60 scientists who will work across 24-hour shifts and also examine sea floor life, undertake mapping, tag seals and document krill and atmospheric conditions.

Delphine Lannuzel from the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science said East Antarctica was a "sleeping giant" in regards to melting.

"The Denman especially ... the grounding line where the ice meets the ground has been receding. The water is warm and has eaten away the ice," Professor Lannuzel said.

The key question to be answered is what is driving the loss of ice mass.

"We want to find out how vulnerable the Denman Glacier is to the warming ocean," Dr Laura Herraiz Borreguero from the CSIRO said.

"(As well as) the likelihood of it making a larger and faster contribution to sea level rise during the next few decades."

Intel from the voyage will build on a land campaign which has studied the glacier from a remote field camp over three years.

The first dedicated science trip for the $528 million icebreaker, which also supplies Australia's Southern Ocean and Antarctic outposts, comes after delays.

The ship's delivery was pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic and it was unable to be used in the 2022/23 season due to mechanical problems.

It currently makes a 670km return journey to the top of Tasmania to refuel because it isn't allowed to pass under the main bridge at its Hobart home for safety reasons.