This map was updated to include the Wilkins Ice Sheet. (click here) Which Ice Sheet is next?
This was a reporting that came along with the collapse of the Larsen B.
...This is the largest single event in a series of retreats by ice shelves along the peninsula over the last 30 years. The retreats are attributed to a strong climate warming in the region. The rate of warming is approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius per decade, and the trend has been present since at least the late 1940s. Overall in the peninsula, the extent of seven ice shelves has declined by a total of about 13,500 square kilometers since 1974. This value excludes areas that would be expected to calve under stable conditions....
There is a lot more than Wilkins that collapsed. Wilkins is at 9 o'clock in this picture. There is also a sluffing off of a large ice mass just north of Wilkins at 12 o'clock. The 'ice' remaining that renders an ice sheet still somewhat intact is a very narrow and unstable ice sheet between Wilkins and its northern component. The complete ice sheet lends itself to demise except for the retreat of the solar radiation to the northern hemisphere.
This is just prior to the simultaneous destruction of the two ice masses of which Wilkins at 9 o'clock is the largest.
This is the close up view of the demise of Wilkins. The photo below is the aerial view of the same former ice sheet turned icebergs. That is why NASA watches this disintegration primarily. I am sure all the scientists are concerned about a warming Earth, but, the reason this monitoring is maintained is not to report the destruction of large ice sheets in regard to warming, but, in regard to shipping channels. Commerce. Scary thought to realize NASA scientists are 'allowed' to continue their work because of commerce and not the pure unadultered reasons of science in realtion to human impacts or human survival. Why do I believe we need legislation to 'insure' the smooth operation of NASA regardless of Executive Branch politics?
Click at title to entry for link to report.
