Wilkins Ice Shelf hanging by its last thread

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The Wilkins Ice Shelf is experiencing further disintegration. This animation comprised of images acquired by Envisats Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) between 30 May and 9 July 2008 shows the break-up event which began on 28 June on the east ...
The Wilkins Ice Shelf is experiencing further disintegration. This animation, comprised of images acquired by Envisat’s Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) between 30 May and 9 July 2008, shows the break-up event which began on 28 June on the east (right) rather than the on west (left) like the previous event that occurred last month. By 8 July, a fracture that could open the ice bridge was visible. Credits: ESA
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The Wilkins Ice Shelf is experiencing further disintegration that is threatening the collapse of the ice bridge connecting the shelf to Charcot Island. Since the connection to the island in the image centre helps to stabilise the ice shelf, it is likely the break-up of the bridge will put the remainder of the ice shelf at risk.


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