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This research article examines the melting of the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, a critical component of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The authors utilize data collected by an underwater vehicle, Icefin, to investigate the interaction between warm ocean water and the glacier’s grounding line, the point where the glacier meets the ocean. The study reveals that melting is not uniform, but rather strongly influenced by the shape of the ice base, with increased melting occurring along sloped surfaces and crevasses, and suppressed melting along flat surfaces. This suggests that the glacier’s retreat is not only driven by ocean warming but also by the glacier’s own topography, a factor not fully captured by current models.