ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS

An Ice Shelf the Size of Rhode Island Breaks Up in Just 24 Hours

3 time-lapsed photos show the incredible disintegration of the Filchner ice shelf in Antarctica.

By Dan Shapley
loading
Email
Print
Comments
Share

Jan, 13, 2010 - Afternoon

Filchner ice shelf break up Antarctica January 2010 Filchner ice shelf break up Antarctica January 2010 Within a 24-hour space, an area of sea ice larger than the state of Rhode Island broke away from the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf and shattered into many smaller pieces. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites captured this event in this series of photo-like images from January 12 and January 13, 2010.

Jan. 14, 2010 - Morning

Filchner ice shelf break up Antarctica January 2010 Filchner ice shelf break up Antarctica January 2010 The long, narrow tongue of ice is a bridge of sea ice linking the A-23A iceberg to the Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf in West Antarctica. The ice bridge is fast ice, or sea ice that does not move because it is anchored to the shore. Compared to an ice shelf, the sea ice is a thin shell of ice over the ocean. The difference in thickness is visible in the images.

Jan. 14, 2010 - Afternoon

Filchner ice shelf break up Antarctica January 2010 Filchner ice shelf break up Antarctica January 2010 The taller, thicker Ronne-Filchner Ice Shelf casts a visible shadow on the ice bridge made of sea ice. This particular ice bridge breaks up and reforms regularly. Even though the images show a routine event, they provide a spectacular view of the sometimes dramatic arrival of summer in the Polar South.
Partner Related Links

Comments  |  Add a comment

Print
Comments
Share

ADVERTISEMENT

The Most Fuel-Efficient Cars and SUVs
Latest Toxic Toy Recalls
Signs of Climate Change
Endangered Vacations
Calculate Your Impact
Search for a location:
Enter your city or zip code to get your local temperature and air quality and find local green food and recycling resources near you.

ADVERTISEMENT
Home | Free Newsletters | Privacy and Terms of Use | Community Guidelines | Press | Sitemap | Site Index | Advertise Online | About Our Ads | About Us | Contact Us
Hearst Women's Sites: Cosmopolitan | Country Living | Delish | Good Housekeeping | Harper's Bazaar | House Beautiful | Marie Claire | Quick & Simple | Redbook |
Town & Country | Town & Country Travel | Veranda
Hearst Men's Network: Popular Mechanics | Esquire
Copyright © 2012 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Being Green | Why did I get this ad?
The Daily Green on Twitter
@the_daily_green
72,168 followers
Sign up for The Daily Green's free newsletter!
Hearst Digital Media