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Larsen-B Ice Shelf Collapse, 2002

In 2002, after 12,000 years of stability, the Larsen-B Ice shelf collapsed in just five weeks. The ice shelves that surround half of the Antarctic continent slow the relentless march of ice streams and glaciers to the ocean.

Ice shelves surround half of the Antarctic continent. They slow the relentless march of ice streams and glaciers - the way dams hold back rivers. When temperatures increase, melt ponds appear on the surface of the ice. As this heavy melt water forces its way into cracks, ice shelves weaken and can ultimately collapse. Such events result in the rapid acceleration of adjacent glaciers toward the ocean and ultimately raises sea level. In 2002, after twelve thousand years of stability, the Larsen-B Ice shelf collapsed in just five weeks.

Ice shelves surround half of the Antarctic continent. They slow the relentless march of ice streams and glaciers - the way dams hold back rivers. When temperatures increase, melt ponds appear on the surface of the ice. As this heavy melt water forces its way into cracks, ice shelves weaken and can ultimately collapse. Such events result in the rapid acceleration of adjacent glaciers toward the ocean and ultimately raises sea level. In 2002, after twelve thousand years of stability, the Larsen-B Ice shelf collapsed in just five weeks.

Credit: NASA/GSFC Scientific Visualization Studio

9.21.04

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