Colorado, USAUniversitySatellite images captured by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) show that around the worldwarmingUnder the influence, the vast Antarctic Wilkin Ice Shelf has begun to disintegrate. A giant piece of ice located in the corner of the ice shelf, covering an area of 414 square kilometers, suddenly collapsed recently. Scientists pointed out that this is because a building is 41 kilometers long and 2.0 meters wide. The four-kilometer iceberg first broke off from the southwest front edge of the ice shelf on February 28.
The largest collapse since 2002
The Wilkin Ice Shelf is a vast year-round ice floe, covering an area of 12,950 square kilometers. It is located in the southwest of the Antarctic Peninsula, about 30 kilometers from the South China Sea.AmericaAbout one thousand six hundred and nine kilometers. Due to recent ice breakups, including larger ice breakups in 2002 and 1995, the remaining part of the ice shelf is currently only supported by a thin icicle between the two islands. .
Scientists noticed related satellite images within hours of the ice shelf breaking up, so they immediately ordered satellite cameras to turn around and even flew a plane to hover over the ice shelf's breakup to take rare photos and footage. According to scientists who participated in the filming, huge ice blocks the size of huts were scattered around the scene, just like a bomb explosion scene.
"If (the ice shelf) continues to retreat, this last support will disintegrate, and we may lose half of the entire ice shelf in the next few years," NSIDC chief scientist Scapos said in a statement. He pointed out that the ice shelf The cracks were filled with water, causing them to break and disintegrate. Wolfen, a scientist from the British Antarctic Survey who participated in the investigation, said that this disintegration method is very similar to what happens after hardening glass is hit hard with a hammer.
Scientists worry this is the key to a big collapse
Scientists worry that the remaining parts of the Wilkin Ice Shelf may also crack in the future. Wolfen predicts that the Wilkin Ice Shelf will collapse in fifteen years, but it should remain intact until next year, as the Antarctic summer is over and the cold season is about to begin. Although the recently broken part only accounts for 4% of the entire ice shelf, it is a key part that can cause further disintegration.
Scientists are not worried that the ice shelf collapse will cause sea levels to rise, but they believe it is a sign of worsening global warming and a tipping point in the climate system. The western Antarctic Peninsula has experienced the most dramatic warming on Earth over the past half century, with an average temperature increase of 0.0°C per decade. fifth degree.
Update date:2008/03/27 04:09
[Compiled by Luo Yanjie and comprehensive reports from Washington on the 26th]
