Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctica’s massive ice shelf was partially collapsed in 2002. As per the latest report by NASA, it is expected that the Larsen B ice shelf may collapse and disappear by the year 2020. A team led by Ala Khazendar of NASA found that the ice is melting drastically. The shelf itself will be gone by the end of the decade.
Larseb B ice shelf is about 1,600 sq kms in area and about 500 metres thick at its thickest point. In 2002, NASA released an image of Larsen B, in which a part of the shelf was collapsed.
Immediate Impact
According to the researchers, the loss of ice shelf does not directly increases sea level. The reason is the ice shelves are already completely immersed in water. The loss of shelves will lead to increase the seaward flow of glaciers held behind them. Then ice will leave and enter the water and that will eventually rise the sea level.
Reasons behind the rise in sea level
- Melting of ice in Antarctica and Greenland
- Expansion of seawater due to warming
- Glaciers and ice caps around the world
GK Questions
- Name the mission of NASA that aims to monitor changes in polar ice from a fixed-wing aircraft? Operation Ice-Bridge
- What is the name of the latest Indian Research Station in Antarctica? Bharati. The other stations are Maitri and Dakshin Gangotri.
