British scientists report about possible split of the ice shelf Wallace from the continent, but Russian scientists say there is nothing to worry about.
The giant piece of ice, which is al big as Jamaica, is connected to the continent with a 40-km long bridge, which narrowest part is only 500 meters thick. After being released, the glacier will break into several large ice pieces and slowly disappear in the World ocean.
The Antarctic continent and its ice shelves cover about 14 million square kilometers, and no wonder such huge mass of ice can deform or deteriorate sometimes, Russian researchers say. It will not be the first time when giant glaciers leave the continent – a Spain-sized glacier sailed to sea once.
Collapse of ice shelves do not threat polar navigation, however, an experienced captain is a benefit. Russian scientists claim that global warming as an explanation of ice melting is still only a hypothesis.
Source: Science & Life