Scientists wary new crack of Larsen C ice shelf will challenge stability of remaining ice

From WN

The giant crack that caused an iceberg to break off from Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf between July 10 and 12 – resulting in an iceberg the size of Delaware and weighing a trillion metric tons – might not be the last piece to break off, Business Insider is reporting.

The iceberg which broke off – dubbed A68 – has scientists wondering how stable the ice shelf remaining connected to the Antarctic continent actually is, the report said.

Recent satellite images reveal pieces of the remaining ice shelf are already about to break off. Should that happen, smaller icebergs will join Iceberg A68 and create smaller pieces in the Antarctic continent.

In addition, scientists have begun studying a a new crack which has formed close to where the old crack left off, Business Insider reported.

The crack is headed directly for Bawden Ice Rise, which is a critical anchor point for the ice shelf, the report said.

Scientists aren’t certain the crack will reach Bawden Ice Rise, but they are keeping a close eye on it, nevertheless, the report said.

WN.com, Jack Durschlag

For more on this story and video go to: https://article.wn.com/view/2017/07/25/Scientists_Wary_New_Crack_Of_Larsen_C_Ice_Shelf_Will_Challen/

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