Antarctic ice shelf collapse

Updated 16.54 Wed Mar 26 2008
Keywords: Wilkins Ice Shelf, global warming, Antarctica

A large chunk has broken off a massive ice shelf in western Antarctica.

According to satellite imagery, the area of the Wilkins Ice Shelf which has collapsed is about 160 square miles, or about seven times the size of the US island of Manhattan.

The area of the Wilkins Ice Shelf which has collapsed is about 160 square miles, or about seven times the size of the US island of Manhattan

Footage gathered by the British Antarctic Survey on 6 March shows the runaway disintegration of the large section, which started on 28 February.

The Wilkins Ice Shelf is a broad sheet of permanent floating ice that spans about 5,000 square miles (13,000 square km).

Larger, more dramatic ice collapses occurred in 2002 and 1995.

Scientists said they are not concerned about a rise in sea level from the latest event, but said it is a sign of worsening global warming.

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