Brief Communication: Newly developing rift in Larsen C Ice Shelf presents significant risk to stability
An established rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf, formerly constrained by a suture zone containing marine ice, grew rapidly during 2014 and is likely in the near future to generate the largest calving event since the 1980s and result in a new minimum area for the ice shelf. Here we investigate the rece...
Published in: | The Cryosphere |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Copernicus Publications on behalf of the European Geosciences Union
2015
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/509875/ https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/509875/1/tc-9-1223-2015.pdf |
Summary: | An established rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf, formerly constrained by a suture zone containing marine ice, grew rapidly during 2014 and is likely in the near future to generate the largest calving event since the 1980s and result in a new minimum area for the ice shelf. Here we investigate the recent development of the rift, quantify the projected calving event and, using a numerical model, assess its likely impact on ice shelf stability. We find that the ice front is at risk of becoming unstable when the anticipated calving event occurs. |
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