Warmer surface temperatures over just a few months in the Antarctic cansplinter an ice shelf and prime it for a major collapse, NASA anduniversity scientists report in the latest issue of the Journal ofGlaciology.
Using satellite images of tell-tale melt water on the ice surface and asophisticated computer simulation of the motions and forces within anice shelf, the scientists demonstrated that added pressure from surfacewater filling crevasses can crack the ice entirely through. The processcan be expected to become more widespread if Antarctic summertemperatures increase.
This true-color image from Landsat 7, acquired on February 21, 2000, shows poolsof melt water on the surface of the Larsen Ice Shelf, and drifting icebergs that have splitfrom the shelf. The upper image is an overview of the shelfâs edge, while the lower imageis displayed at full resolution of 30 meters (98 feet) per pixel. The labeled pond in thelower image measures roughly 1.6 by 1.6 km (1.0 x 1.0 miles).
Full text of Press Release
More Images and Animations
References & Resources
Image courtesy Landsat 7 Science Team and NASA GSFC
