Massive Iceberg the Size of the Isle of Wight Breaks from Antarctic Ice Shelf

[Social Media]

 

A large iceberg approximately 380 square kilometers (145 square miles) in size, equivalent to the Isle of Wight, has calved from the Brunt Ice Shelf. This marks the third major calving event in the vicinity of the UK's Halley research station in just three years.

 

Precautionary Measures at Halley Research Station: The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) had anticipated potential ice shelf instability and, in a proactive move, relocated the Halley research station in 2017. The buildings were strategically moved on skis to mitigate immediate risks posed by shifting ice. Additionally, the station is routinely vacated during the harsh and dark winter months of the southern hemisphere. The last of the personnel were evacuated in February, ensuring their safety amidst unpredictable ice conditions.

 

 

The Brunt Ice Shelf, a floating extension of glaciers from the Antarctic continent into the Weddell Sea, is currently experiencing a highly dynamic phase. Icebergs periodically calve from the shelf's forward edge, a natural process, but the recent frequency and size of these events are noteworthy.  In 2021, an iceberg named A74, the size of Greater Paris (1,300 sq km/810 sq miles), broke away. This was followed by the even larger A81 in 2023, measuring 1,500 sq km (930 sq miles), equivalent to the size of Greater London. The new iceberg, roughly the size of the Isle of Wight, continues this trend of significant calving events.

 

The genesis of the latest iceberg can be traced back to a major crack observed on 31 October 2016, aptly nicknamed the "Halloween Crack." A subsequent perpendicular fracture to the Halloween Crack has now resulted in the detachment of a sizable segment of ice, which has already started drifting into the Weddell Sea. Detection of the iceberg's breakaway was facilitated by two GPS instruments strategically placed on the anticipated iceberg. Dr. Oliver Marsh, a glaciologist, explained, "They're single frequency GPSs, so they're not particularly accurate, but they tell you when something major happens, and we saw movement of a few hundred meters within an hour, which is a good indication the berg had broken free of the ice shelf." This movement was corroborated by satellite imagery showing the iceberg surrounded by seawater.

 

 

The significant loss of ice from the Brunt Ice Shelf over the past three years has accelerated its seaward movement dramatically. Historically, the shelf moved forward at a rate of 400-800 meters (1,300-2,600 feet) per year. However, it is now advancing at approximately 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) annually. The Brunt Ice Shelf has been a crucial site for British scientific research since 1956, hosting one of the UK's primary research centers on the continent, alongside Rothera on the opposite side of the Weddell Sea. The recent calving events have prompted BAS and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to investigate the long-term implications for the safety and stability of the Halley station.

 

 

"This latest calving reduces the Brunt Ice Shelf to its smallest observed size," remarked Prof. Adrian Luckman, a remote sensing specialist from Swansea University. He noted the increased dynamic activity since the calving of Iceberg A81 in January 2023. "We may be observing the end of a dynamic readjustment, but only time will tell if things settle down now." Icebergs in Antarctica are named according to a system managed by the US National Ice Center (USNIC), which divides the continent into quadrants. The Brunt Ice Shelf, located in the eastern Weddell Sea, falls under the "A" designation. The recent iceberg will likely be named A83, continuing the sequence of large calvings in this sector. Due to their substantial size, these icebergs must be tracked to mitigate navigation hazards.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-05-23

 

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[tandor]

Don Dunstan's dream is finally coming true..this berg may make it by itself. 

[RichardColeman]

Admit it, it broke away as they were digging out a spaceship. Better call R.J MacReady

[newbee2022]

Will it come to the Golf of Thailand???😳

[brianthainess]

Did it break off anywhere near where the Thais are working there ? 

[mrfill]

Nice to see the post-Brexit new measurement system in use. Large areas are now measured in Isle of Wights, building height is in Nelson's columns, lengths are in London Buses and volumes are, obviously, measured in Olympic swimming pools

 

For reference purposes, the Isle of Wight is a small island in the English Channel which maintains a lifestyle based on the 1860s. It is famed for being used as an iceberg measuring unit.

[Bundooman]

Most posters on this forum have no idea what the Isle of Wight is - let alone know where it vis or how big it is!

 

Most Brit haters probably think it is a white island.

[Danderman123]

The question is if this calving event was caused by Climate Change or whether such events happen regularly.