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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."

3 of 529 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Drinks all around! by butterwise · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, a real good margarita consists of good tequila, fresh lime juice and triple sec - not a mix.

    --
    If a baby duck is a "duckling," why would anyone want to eat "dumplings?"
  2. Re:How much is that in square furlongs? by DrSkwid · · Score: 5, Informative

    58 sq km

    So a bit bigger than Bermuda (zoom out) but a bit smaller than San Marino (zoom out)

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    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  3. Been There Done That by sycodon · · Score: 5, Informative

    Maybe he should have worked there longer. Follow this link.

    http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic39-1-15. pdf

    In 1984 this study was done in Canada. The first page kind of says it all.

    " Between 1959 and 1974 a total of 48sqkm calved off from Milne and Ayles ice shelves. In addition, the Ayles Ice Shelf moved about 5km out into Ayles Ford"

    Not quite 66 sqkm but close. And it sounds as if the shelf broke off rather recently within a few decades, and somehow reattached itself. No mention of that in the story, but there is a significant emphasis that the ice is 3000 years old and ancient. Making it seem as if this has been the same for 3000 years. Next at the bottom left of the first page.

    "The largest observed ice calving occurred at Ward Hunt Ice Shelf (just north of Ayles) where almost 600SQKM, broke off between 1961 and 1962.

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.