World seas might see drastic rise in near future if we fail to curb global warming at its present rate. Many climate scientists have already predicted the sea-level rise by 2100, but a new study has suggested that the rise could be at double the rate of previous estimates.

The study by two climate scientists- Robert DeConto of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and David Pollard from the Pennsylvania State University- stated that previous ice-sheet-climate models have not understood the Antarctic ice sheet’s melting completely. These models have ‘under-appreciated’ the melting and its impact on sea level, added the study.

The research has been published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

It is necessary to understand the planet’s future and what role Antarctica is going to play in it, said the pair of climate scientists. For the study, Professor DeConto and Professor Pollard made a structure of earth as it was about three million years ago and then 125,000 years ago. During these eras, levels of emissions of carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere were similar to today’s levels, but sea levels were more than 20 feet higher than today’s levels, found the scientists.

“In the past when global average temperatures were only slightly warmer than today, sea levels were much higher. Melting of smaller Greenland Ice Sheet can only explain a fraction of this sea-level rise, most which must have been caused by retreat on Antarctica”, said Professor DeConto in a statement.

Climate scientists also said that over the next century, Antarctic ice will melt faster than previously estimated. It will mirror the melt rates three million and 125,000 years ago, they suggested. Antarctica alone can contribute over one meter of sea-level rise by the end of this century, said the study authors.