More Cracks Form in Wilkins Ice Shelf Around Latady Island
Wilkins Ice Shelf, Antarctica - April 20th, 2009
Detail of collapsed ice bridge
Detail of Latady Island
Just over two weeks ago, the 500 meter wide ice bridge linking the Wilkins Ice Shelf to Charcot Island (upper left) snapped.
The remnants of the bridge can be seen in the close-up. The bridge had been holding back icebergs from the desintegrated ice shelf. These icebergs continue to move out towards the open ocean.
The second close-up focuses on the ice shelf’s connection to Latady Island (lower left), which scientists fear could ultimately break apart as well.
In the five-day period between when these images and those from the previous article were captured, many new rifts and cracks have appeared, and the pre-existing cracks have widened. (Please click here to see the previous article).
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:24 am
[...] Tell that to the Wilkins Ice Shelf. [...]
February 27th, 2011 at 7:26 am
[...] Tell that to the Wilkins Ice Shelf. [...]