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...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2015-06-01
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| Series: | The Cryosphere |
| Online Access: | http://www.the-cryosphere.net/9/1223/2015/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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| ISSN: | 1994-0416 1994-0424 |