Partial Collapse of Antarctic Wilkens Ice Shelf Occurs

Satellite observation confirmed the recent collapse of a portion of the Wilkins Ice Shelf off Anarctica in recent days. The chunk that broke away to the sea is only about 4 % of the shelf, but the entire remaining shelf is highly in danger of fully breaking away soon, although it will probably not occur in 2oo8 as the brief but intense Antarctic summer is nearing its end. It has been believed the full Wilkins Shelf would not collapse until after 2020 at the earliest, but now it seems it is likely in the next year or so. This ice shelf is seven times the size of Connecticut and its slippage into the sea will make a noticeable addition to sea levels globally by a inch or so if not more over time. A collapse of this magnitude so much earlier than projected raises concerns with the much larger West Antarctic Ice Shelf, whose collapse is projected in the next half-century. Increases in the intensity of growth of global warming, particularly near the poles, may see this mass of ice the size of Brazil collapse before 2025 or sooner. This collapse would be an epic historical event and contribute to a sea level increase of greater than one foot quickly and more in time globally which would have a significant devastating effect on individuals, ecosystems, nations, and mankind.

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-antarctic26mar26,0,4061120.story?track=mostviewed-storylevel

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