Iceberg remains adrift after glacier calving in Antarctica
The event has again raised concerns about climate change and the need for reducing emissions.
AN iceberg more than twice the size of Durban broke off in Antarctica this week.
BREAKING NEWS: one of the largest icebergs ever recorded has broken off from Antarctica https://t.co/czIfdF5iR8 pic.twitter.com/3fkiulJJJN
— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) July 12, 2017
The iceberg, which is one of the biggest ever recorded is now adrift in the surrounding waters. It broke off from the Larsen C part of the Larsen ice shelf and is the third such collapse on the same shelf in the last few years.
A huge iceberg twice the size of Luxembourg just broke off from Antartica.
How we respond matters >> https://t.co/rixRj1cm0c pic.twitter.com/u49okAFbCa
— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) July 13, 2017
Scientists have been monitoring the rift for years, waiting for the predicted ‘calving’ (when an iceberg breaks away from a glacier). The event has again raised concerns about climate change and the need for reducing emissions.
4 things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint right now: https://t.co/ttRxtLPQNZ
What else do you do for the climate? pic.twitter.com/HgdvefNrPX
— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) July 12, 2017
“The Antarctic Peninsula has been one of the fastest warming places on the planet throughout the latter half of the 20th century. This warming has driven really profound environmental changes, including the collapse of Larsen A and B. But with the rift on Larsen C, we haven’t made a direct connection with the warming climate. Still, there are definitely mechanisms by which this rift could be linked to climate change, most notably through warmer ocean waters eating away at the base of the shelf,” said Colorado State University glaciologist, Dan McGrath in a report by NASA Earth Science Team’s Maria-Jose Viñas.
According to Project Midas, “there is a risk that Larsen C may eventually follow the example of its neighbour, Larsen B, which disintegrated in 2002 following a similar rift-induced calving event in 1995.”
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center glaciologist, Kelly Brunt said in Viñas’ report: “The interesting thing is what happens next, how the remaining ice shelf responds. Will the ice shelf weaken? Or possibly collapse, like its neighbours Larsen A and B? Will the glaciers behind the ice shelf accelerate and have a direct contribution to sea level rise? Or is this just a normal calving event?”
And for the overly literal crowd..it is not shaped like a sphere.. pic.twitter.com/YMoQnIHse5
— Dr. Marshall Shepherd (my record is my blue check) (@DrShepherd2013) July 12, 2017
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