A trillion-ton iceberg four times the size of London has snapped off the West Antarctic ice shelf
The iceberg was ‘hanging on by a thread’ of just 3 miles (5km) of ice
Satellite data shows 2,239 sq miles (5,800 sq km) iceberg has broken away
The Larsen C ice shelf has now decreased in size by around 10 per cent
Because it is so large, the iceberg could pose a hazard to maritime traffic
It will float in water and by itself will not add to sea levels when it melts
But if glaciers held in check by Larsen C now split into the Antarctic Ocean, it could lift the global water mark by 10 centimetres (four inches)
By SHIVALI BEST
DailyMail.com
12 July 2017
After months of anticipation, one of the biggest icebergs ever recorded has finally broken off the Larsen C ice sheet in the West Antarctic.
The iceberg weighs a staggering trillion tons and has an area of 2,239 sq miles (5,800 sq km), making roughly the size of Delaware or four times the size of London.
It was found to have split off from the ice sheet after scientists examined the latest satellite data from the area.
The process, known as calving, occurred in the last few days.
The ice shelf has now decreased in size by 10 per cent, leaving the ice front at its most retreated position ever recorded.
If the glaciers held in check by the iceberg now split into the Antarctic Ocean, it could lift the global water mark by about 10 centimetres (4 inches).
The iceberg, which is expected to be dubbed ‘A68’, is predicted to be one of the 10 largest icebergs ever recorded.
In a statement, Swansea University said: ‘The calving occurred sometime between Monday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 12, when a 5,800-square kilometre (2,200-square mile) section of Larsen C (ice shelf) finally broke away.’
Throughout the Antarctic winter, research teams, led by the University of Swansea and including researchers from British Antarctic Survey (BAS), monitored the progress of a 170 km long ice rift in the ice shelf using the European Space Agency (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites.
According to BAS remote sensing analyst Andrew Fleming, the satellite images have been critical for research planning.
He says: ‘This story has just got even more interesting.
‘Our glaciologists will now be watching closely to see whether the remaining Larsen C Ice Shelf becomes less stable than before the iceberg broke free, and our biologists will be keen to understand how new habitats formed by the loss of the ice are colonised.’
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