Nature World Today

Nature's Best Site

Another Massive Glacier has Broken Free From Antarctica

by 50 Comments

Recent satellite images show that a new 100-square-mile iceberg has broken off of Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier. While this new calving event did not come as a surprise, it is another concerning sign of how climate change is affecting the world’s oceans.

Pine Island Glacier (PIG) — which loses 45 billion tons of ice each year — is the fastest melting glacier in Antarctica. In fact, it is responsible for over a fourth of the continent’s total ice loss.  The images taken on September 23rd and 24th reveal a new open-water gap emerging between the ice shelf and the iceberg that measures roughly four times the size of Manhattan

While the unstable iceberg has already created a new batch of smaller icebergs, the chunk is not as big as the one produced by the Antarctic Peninsula’s Larsen C ice shelf a few months ago.

Editorial content

The event came to light when observation satellite specialist Stef Lhermitte at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands posted the first image of the iceberg. This then prompted other researchers to take notice of the recent development, which they confirmed through MODIS and Landsat 8 satellites.

The area drained by PIG makes up roughly 10 percent of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, meaning it is an extremely important geological feature in terms of global sea-level rise. This is the third major calving event in the last four years, which is why it is so concerning.

Researchers have also stated that rifts in the center of the glacier have begun to spread out to the edges. That suggests the cracks are forming inland, a process likely caused by warm ocean water rubbing against the glacier’s base. That could explain the increased frequency of the calving events and reveal why PIG appears to be thinning.

Currently, the West Antarctic ice sheet is separated from the ocean by a series of large glaciers that are holding back large volumes of ice. If those were to break it could significantly raise global sea levels.

“We are very worried about what might happen to Pine Island glacier in relation to sea-level rise,” said Stef Lhermitte, a satellite observation specialist at Delft University of Technology, according to The Washington Times.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. 357386 257523Aw, this was a truly good post. In concept I wish to put in writing like this furthermore – taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article nevertheless what can I say I procrastinate alot and not at all appear to get something done. 74389

  9. 744386 64434I havent checked in here for some time because I thought it was finding boring, but the last couple of posts are actually great quality so I guess Ill add you back to my day-to-day bloglist. You deserve it my friend. insurance guides 792671

  14. 783252 941682Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this write-up together. I once once more discover myself spending approach to significantly time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was nonetheless worth it! 42765

  15. 455477 332602Ive been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to really like this weblog. Thank you, I will try and check back more often. How regularly you update your internet web site? 726927

  21. 985749 544740This web web site is normally a walk-through its the data you wished about this and didnt know who ought to. Glimpse here, and you will definitely discover it. 140699

  23. 787270 578513I genuinely dont accept this certain article. Nonetheless, I had searched with Google and Ive located out that youre correct and I had been thinking inside the improper way. Keep on creating top quality material related to this. 857702

  24. 296320 717426Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, could test thisK IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a large portion of folks will leave out your exceptional writing due to this dilemma. 718559

  25. 583915 851310This internet internet site is my aspiration, extremely outstanding style and design and Perfect subject matter. 86512

  26. 222256 889031Hi, you used to write exceptional posts, but the last several posts have been kinda boring I miss your wonderful posts. Past few posts are just just a little bit out of track! 977286

  31. 340228 255272You wouldnt feel it but Ive wasted all day digging for some articles about this. You might be a lifesaver, it was an excellent read and has helped me out to no finish. Cheers! 230818

  34. 889055 993161Oh my goodness! a great post dude. Thank you Even so I will likely be experiencing concern with ur rss . Dont know why Can not subscribe to it. Will there be any person acquiring identical rss dilemma? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 568365

  36. 821199 942417Wow! This can be 1 particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. In fact Excellent. Im also an expert in this topic so I can comprehend your hard function. 989582

  43. 434141 711246You will find some fascinating points in time in this post but I do not know if I see all of them center to heart. Theres some validity but I will take hold opinion until I appear into it further. Great post , thanks and we want considerably more! Added to FeedBurner too 526242

  45. 374270 109525Excellent artical, I unfortunately had some troubles printing this artcle out, The print formating looks a bit screwed over, something you may want to appear into. 582955

  46. 401298 241325What a outstanding viewpoint, nonetheless is just not produce every sence by any means discussing this mather. Just about any technique thanks and also i had try and discuss your post directly into delicius but it surely appears to be an issue in your blogging is it possible you should recheck this. thank you just as before. 140975

  47. 809573 908552Aw, this became an extremely good post. In idea I would like to set up writing like that moreover – taking time and actual effort to produce a fantastic article but what / issues I say I procrastinate alot by means of no indicates appear to get something completed. 163113

  48. 189417 590657I enjoyed reading your pleasant website. I see you offer priceless info. stumbled into this internet site by chance but Im sure glad I clicked on that link. You undoubtedly answered all the questions Ive been dying to answer for some time now. Will undoubtedly come back for far more of this. 630172

  49. 867441 367736I discovered your web site site online and check numerous of your early posts. Maintain on the top notch operate. I just now additional your Feed to my MSN News Reader. Searching for forward to reading much more from you locating out later on! 475636

  50. 170635 100959Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read? 542795

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.