Larsen C Ice Shelf may soon collapse – BBC

In 1893, the Norwegian captain and founder of the Antarctic whaling Carl Anton Larsen explored the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula on the ship “Jason”. Later, a huge wall of ice along which sailed captain, called the Larsen Ice Shelf

Initially, the ice shelf consisted of three parts -. Larsen A, Larsen B, and Larsen C (Larsen C is one of the largest). However, Larsen A, whose area was 1.5 square meters. km completely destroyed at the end of the XX century – in 1995, he split from the main glacier and melted in just a few months. Then the researchers decided that the two remaining glaciers of another fate awaits. However, at the beginning of the XXI century, in 2002, Larsen B, remained stable over 12 thousand. Years, in just 35 days, broken up into smaller icebergs.

According to the scientists Larsen B collapsed due to rising air temperatures over Antarctica, as well as due to the increase in the average temperature of the oceans waters.

And now under threat, and the only “survivor” Larsen C Ice, whose area is 55 thousand sq. M. km, which is almost ten times the area of ​​the “deceased” Larsen B, and represents half of Iceland’s Square. Today Larsen C is considered the fourth largest glacier in the world. According to the results computer simulation and analysis of satellite images of scientists from the UK, who participate in the MIDAS project in the last five months (from March to August 2016) glacier crack increased by 22 km (13.67 miles) long and now is 130 km (80 miles). In comparison, between 2011 and 2015, the crack increased by 30 km in length. In addition, to date, the crack is 350 meters wide

MIDAS -. It is a British research project, which has been studying the effects of global warming on the ice shelf Larsen C

«This. crack continues to grow and eventually it will lead to the fact that much of the ice will break away, like an iceberg, “- commented the study’s authors (particularly expected breakaway parts constituting 12% of the glacier). The remainder of the ice shelf will become unstable, and it will continue to break away from icebergs, while Larsen C will not completely destroyed. According to researchers, waiting With the fate of the Larsen B.

According to scientists, in the near future it will break away from the glacier iceberg, whose area is about 6 thousand sq. M in the near future Larsen. km (2316 miles), which is comparable to the area of ​​Delaware, one of the US states. Then an iceberg melt.

Scientists from the UK warn that, when the entire glacier collapses, sea levels will rise by as much as 10 cm.

sea-level rise would pose a threat primarily to countries with a long coastline and island nations.

Researchers have yet not specify exactly when the glacier will break away a huge piece but suggested that it could happen in the next few years. According to them, this will be one of the biggest events in the history of mankind.

It is interesting that in June in Nature Communications appears a study according to which on the surface of the Larsen C formed melt ponds . On the eve of the science department “Gazety.Ru» reported , which to a similar conclusion was reached by researchers from the University of Durham. Scientists analyzed hundreds of satellite images and meteorological observations Langhovde Glacier in East Antarctica and found that only from 2000 to 2013 in Antarctica appeared about 8 thousand. New lakes. Experts suspect that some of the water of such lakes can seep under the surface of the ice, which threatens the stability of the entire glacier.