One of Antarctica's biggest glaciers is thinning at an increasingly fast rate, according to new research.

A study led by Professor Duncan Wingham of University College London found the Pine Island glacier has lowered by 90m in the last 15 years.

This means that the expected lifespan of the glacier has been reduced from six centuries to just 100 years.

Professor Andrew Shepherd of Leeds University, one of the scientists behind the research, described the findings as "unprecedented".

"We've known that it's been out of balance for some time," he told BBC News.

"But nothing in the natural world is lost at an accelerating exponential rate like this glacier."

He added that if ice from the centre of the glacier continues to melt, about three centimeters will be added to the global sea level.

The ecological threat this represents could potentially sway the decisions of world leaders ahead of the Copenhagen summit on tackling climate change.

Yvo de Boer, the UN's leading climate change official, recently called on politicians to make greater progress on reaching a deal to help the environment.