Watch the video above for an explanation from KSAT Meteorologist Sarah Spivey
Friday, February 26, a massive iceberg larger than New York City broke off of the main ice shelf, which is almost 500 feet thick. At first glance, this may seem to echo one of the most common images of climate change – large glaciers falling into the sea because of a warming climate. However, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
This happened on a part of Antarctica known as the “Brunt Ice Shelf.” Here, British scientists are stationed, conducting various experiments. These scientists have been preparing for almost a decade for this eventual large breakage, which is called “calving.” According to the British Antarctic Survey, researchers were able to move their base inland in 2016, ensuring the safety of their researchers.
Although the breakage may seem alarming, calving is a very natural process within ice shelves, so it’s not clear if climate change has had an impact on this particular event.
Scientist will continue to monitor this newest, very large iceberg.
