An Conger ice shelf, has completely collapsed in East Antarctica within days of record high temperatures, according to satellite data.
- Conger, which had an approximate surface area of 1,200 sq km, collapsed around 15 March. Satellite data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission showed that movement of the ice shelf began between 5 and 7 March 202.
- East Antarctica saw unusually high temperatures in March 2022, with Concordia station hitting a record temperature of -11.8C on 18 March, more than 40C warmer than seasonal norms.
- The record temperatures were the result of an atmospheric river that trapped heat over the continent.
- Antarctica is the coldest, iciest place on Earth, which makes the recent warming event particularly worrying for many scientists.
What are Ice shelves?
- Ice shelves are extensions of ice sheets that float over the ocean, playing an important role in restraining inland ice.
- Without them, inland ice flows faster into the ocean, resulting in sea level rise.
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