<p>According to satellite data, an ice sheet the size of Rome has totally disintegrated in east Antarctica.</p>

<p>The Conger ice shelf, which had a surface area of about 1,200 square kilometres, disintegrated on March 15, according to scientists.</p>

<p>Last week, East Antarctica experienced exceptionally mild temperatures, with Concordia station setting a new record temperature of -11.8°C on March 18, more than 40°C above seasonal norms.</p>

<p>An atmospheric river confined heat over the continent, resulting in record temperatures.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ice shelves are over-the-water extensions of ice sheets that play a vital role in controlling inland ice.</p>

<p>Inland ice flows quicker into the ocean without them, causing sea level rise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dr Catherine Colello Walker, an earth and planetary scientist at Nasa, said though the Conger ice shelf was relatively small, "it is one of the most significant collapse events anywhere in Antarctica since the early 2000s when the Larsen B ice shelf disintegrated."</p>

<p>"It won’t have huge effects, most likely, but it’s a sign of what might be coming," Walker said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Complete collapse of East Antarctica's Conger Ice Shelf (~1200 sq. km) ~March 15, seen in combo of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Landsat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Landsat</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MODIS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MODIS</a> imagery. Possible it hit its tipping point following the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Antarctic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Antarctic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtmosphericRiver?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AtmosphericRiver</a> and heatwave too? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CongerIceShelf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CongerIceShelf</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Antarctica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Antarctica</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/helenafricker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@helenafricker</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/icy_pete?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@icy_pete</a> <a href="https://t.co/7dP5d6isvd">https://t.co/7dP5d6isvd</a> <a href="https://t.co/1wzmuOwdQn">pic.twitter.com/1wzmuOwdQn</a></p>
— Catherine Colello Walker (@CapComCatWalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapComCatWalk/status/1507137389432434739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


According to satellite data, an ice sheet the size of Rome has totally disintegrated in east Antarctica. The Conger ice shelf, which had a surface area of about 1,200 square kilometres, disintegrated on March 15, according to scientists.

According to satellite data, an ice sheet the size of Rome has totally disintegrated in east Antarctica. The Conger ice shelf, which had a surface area of about 1,200 square kilometres, disintegrated on March 15, according to scientists. Last week, East Antarctica experienced exceptionally mild temperatures, with Concordia station setting a new record temperature of -11.8°C on March 18, more than 40°C above seasonal norms. An atmospheric river confined heat over the continent, resulting in record temperatures. Ice shelves are over-the-water extensions of ice sheets that play a vital role in controlling inland ice. Inland ice flows quicker into the ocean without them, causing sea level rise. Dr Catherine Colello Walker, an earth and planetary scientist at Nasa, said though the Conger ice shelf was relatively small, "it is one of the most significant collapse events anywhere in Antarctica since the early 2000s when the Larsen B ice shelf disintegrated." "It won’t have huge effects, most likely, but it’s a sign of what might be coming," Walker said. Complete collapse of East Antarctica's Conger Ice Shelf (~1200 sq. km) ~March 15, seen in combo of #Landsat and #MODIS imagery. Possible it hit its tipping point following the #Antarctic #AtmosphericRiver and heatwave too? #CongerIceShelf #Antarctica @helenafricker @icy_pete https://t.co/7dP5d6isvd pic.twitter.com/1wzmuOwdQn — Catherine Colello Walker (@CapComCatWalk) March 24, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies)

An ice shelf about the size of Rome completely collapsed in Antarctica

<p>Within days of record high temperatures in East Antarctica, an ice shelf the size of Rome collapsed completely in East Antarctica.</p>

<p>Scientists&nbsp;report&nbsp;that the Conger ice shelf collapsed around 15 March, it had a surface area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres.</p>

<p>Despite the small size of the Conger ice shelf, Dr Catherine Colello Walker, Earth and planetary scientist said, “it is one of the most significant collapse events anywhere in Antarctica since the early 2000s when the Larsen B ice shelf disintegrated”.</p>

<p>Walker said it won't have significant effects, but it could be a sign of things to come.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/unprecedented-heatwaves-recorded-at-earths-poles-scientists-warn-of-climate-calamity-464304">‘Unprecedented’ heatwaves recorded at Earth’s poles, scientists warn of climate calamity</a></strong></p>

<p>Concordia station in East Antarctica, recorded a record temperature of -11.8C on 18 March, about 40C higher than seasonal norms. Temperature records were set as a result of an atmospheric river that trapped heat over the continent.</p>

<p>Walker noted that the Conger ice shelf had been shrinking since the mid-2000s, but it was only slowly diminishing until the start of 2020.</p>

<p>Yet by 4 March, the ice shelf appeared to have lost more than half its surface area as compared with January measurements of approximately 1,200 square kilometres.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The long term demise and eventual collapse of Conger ice shelf in East Antarctica 🇦🇶 as observed by <a href="https://twitter.com/CopernicusEU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CopernicusEU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sentinel1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sentinel1</a> 🛰️ <a href="https://t.co/z78KGokTna">pic.twitter.com/z78KGokTna</a></p>
— Stef Lhermitte (@StefLhermitte) <a href="https://twitter.com/StefLhermitte/status/1507269147251597312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Glaciologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Peter Neff, said that even the collapse of a small ice shelf in East Antarctica was a surprise.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antarctica-experiences-massive-heat-wave-hits-record-high-temperatures-463940">Antarctica experiences massive heat wave, hits record high temperatures</a></strong></p>

<p>Satellite data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission indicated the ice shelf began moving between 5 and 7 March.</p>

<p>Professor Helen Amanda Fricker of the Scripps Polar Center said three calving events occurred in East Antarctica in March - that is, ice chunks broke off from the edge of a glacier. In addition to the collapse of the Conger ice shelf, the Totten glacier and Glenzer ice shelf also had smaller but similar events.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There have been three iceberg calving events from East Antarctica during March. This animation by <a href="https://twitter.com/CapComCatWalk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CapComCatWalk</a> shows one dramatic style of calving: the collapse of Conger Ice Shelf around 15th March 1/6 <a href="https://t.co/hZrvOuSW2m">https://t.co/hZrvOuSW2m</a></p>
— Helen Amanda Fricker (@helenafricker) <a href="https://twitter.com/helenafricker/status/1507149345472217101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>“Much of East Antarctica is restrained by buttressing ice shelves, so we need to keep an eye on all the ice shelves there,” Fricker said in a tweet.</p>

<p>In 2002, the Larsen B ice shelf collapsed because of surface melting.</p>

<p>Alex Sen Gupta, an associate professor at the University of New South Wales, said the Antarctic heat event started on 15 March. According to him, large parts of eastern Antarctica experienced temperatures over 20C above normal.</p>

<p>Due to the fact that ice shelves are already floating, the Conger ice shelf breakup will not have much impact on the sea level, according to Matt King, the director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Temperatures soar by 30 degrees Celsius in Antarctica</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/temperatures-soar-by-30-degrees-celcius-in-antarctica-464006/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>However, climate change will lead to more ice shelves breaking up in the future, King warned. In the coming years, we will see massive ice shelves - bigger than this one - breaking up. This will hold back a lot of ice - enough to seriously boost global sea levels, he added.</p>

<p>Scientists are particularly concerned about the future of the Thwaites glacier,&nbsp; which is the size of Florida and is dubbed the "doomsday glacier" because it contains enough water to raise sea levels globally by more than half a meter.</p>

<p>According to King, the breakup of the Conger ice shelf is an example that things can change quickly.&nbsp;Ultimately, our carbon emissions will affect Antarctica, and the continent will affect the rest of the world's coastlines, possibly faster than we expect, he warned.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Within days of record high temperatures in East Antarctica, an ice shelf the size of Rome collapsed completely in East Antarctica. Scientists report that the Conger ice shelf collapsed around 15 March, it had a surface area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres.

Within days of record high temperatures in East Antarctica, an ice shelf the size of Rome collapsed completely in East Antarctica. Scientists report that the Conger ice shelf collapsed around 15 March, it had a surface area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres. Despite the small size of the Conger ice shelf, Dr Catherine Colello Walker, Earth and planetary scientist said, “it is one of the most significant collapse events anywhere in Antarctica since the early 2000s when the Larsen B ice shelf disintegrated”. Walker said it won't have significant effects, but it could be a sign of things to come. Also read | ‘Unprecedented’ heatwaves recorded at Earth’s poles, scientists warn of climate calamity Concordia station in East Antarctica, recorded a record temperature of -11.8C on 18 March, about 40C higher than seasonal norms. Temperature records were set as a result of an atmospheric river that trapped heat over the continent. Walker noted that the Conger ice shelf had been shrinking since the mid-2000s, but it was only slowly diminishing until the start of 2020. Yet by 4 March, the ice shelf appeared to have lost more than half its surface area as compared with January measurements of approximately 1,200 square kilometres. The long term demise and eventual collapse of Conger ice shelf in East Antarctica 🇦🇶 as observed by @CopernicusEU #sentinel1 🛰️ pic.twitter.com/z78KGokTna — Stef Lhermitte (@StefLhermitte) March 25, 2022 × Glaciologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota, Peter Neff, said that even the collapse of a small ice shelf in East Antarctica was a surprise. Also read | Antarctica experiences massive heat wave, hits record high temperatures Satellite data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission indicated the ice shelf began moving between 5 and 7 March. Professor Helen Amanda Fricker of the Scripps Polar Center said three calving events occurred in East Antarctica in March - that is, ice chunks broke off from the edge of a glacier. In addition to the collapse of the Conger ice shelf, the Totten glacier and Glenzer ice shelf also had smaller but similar events. There have been three iceberg calving events from East Antarctica during March. This animation by @CapComCatWalk shows one dramatic style of calving: the collapse of Conger Ice Shelf around 15th March 1/6 https://t.co/hZrvOuSW2m — Helen Amanda Fricker (@helenafricker) March 25, 2022 × “Much of East Antarctica is restrained by buttressing ice shelves, so we need to keep an eye on all the ice shelves there,” Fricker said in a tweet. In 2002, the Larsen B ice shelf collapsed because of surface melting. Alex Sen Gupta, an associate professor at the University of New South Wales, said the Antarctic heat event started on 15 March. According to him, large parts of eastern Antarctica experienced temperatures over 20C above normal. Due to the fact that ice shelves are already floating, the Conger ice shelf breakup will not have much impact on the sea level, according to Matt King, the director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science. Watch | Temperatures soar by 30 degrees Celsius in Antarctica However, climate change will lead to more ice shelves breaking up in the future, King warned. In the coming years, we will see massive ice shelves - bigger than this one - breaking up. This will hold back a lot of ice - enough to seriously boost global sea levels, he added. Scientists are particularly concerned about the future of the Thwaites glacier, which is the size of Florida and is dubbed the "doomsday glacier" because it contains enough water to raise sea levels globally by more than half a meter. According to King, the breakup of the Conger ice shelf is an example that things can change quickly. Ultimately, our carbon emissions will affect Antarctica, and the continent will affect the rest of the world's coastlines, possibly faster than we expect, he warned. (With inputs from agencies)

Climate Change: Ice shelf the size of Rome collapses in East Antarctica; scientists sound the alarm

conger-ice-shelf

Conger Ice Shelf, News on Conger Ice Shelf, stories on Conger Ice Shelf, articles on Conger Ice Shelf, Conger Ice Shelf stories at Wion, Conger Ice Shelf news, Conger Ice Shelf latest news

conger ice-shelf

An ice shelf about the size of Rome completely collapsed in Antarctica

Climate Change: Ice shelf the size of Rome collapses in East Antarctica; scientists sound the alarm