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Giant Ice Shelf Snaps

Posted by Zonk on from the as-long-as-the-movie-doesn't-feature-sandra-bullock dept.

Popo writes "Sattelite images have revealed that an ancient 66 square-kilometer ice shelf, the size of 11,000 football fields, has snapped off from an island in Canada's arctic. The Ayles Ice Shelf was one of 6 major shelves remaining in Canada's arctic and is estimated to be over 3000 years old. The collapse was so powerful that earthquake monitors 250 km away picked up tremors. Scientists say it is the largest event of its kind in 30 years and point their fingers at climate change as a major contributing factor."

6 of 529 comments (clear)

  1. How much is that in square furlongs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    11,000 football fields. Yeah, there's an easy-to-visualize image. What a helpful comparison.

  2. Ungrateful scientists by Elentari · · Score: 5, Funny

    It lasted a good deal longer than any shelf I've ever put up.

  3. less ambiguous units please! by JeanBaptiste · · Score: 5, Funny

    the size of 11,000 football fields

    NFL? Canadian? European kickball?

    Besides, this is a nerds site. Don't make athletic references.

    Volkswagen Bugs or Libraries of Congress would be more appropriate.

  4. Geography lesson by mangu · · Score: 5, Funny
    that ice has been outside for a long time with penguins, polar bears and what nots crapping all over it


    I agree with you that the tequila is what makes a good Margarita, but you are wrong about your crap. Penguins do not frequent the same ice as polar bears. Repeat with me, polar bears are in the North, penguins are in the South. Not, they do not meet at the tropics.

  5. Re:Happy Feet... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I also thought we told those penguins they don't live in the northern hemisphere!

  6. 3000 years old... by LiTa03 · · Score: 5, Funny
    ...and is estimated to be over 3000 years old
    Almost as old as earth itself...