Chasm-1 stayed inactive for many years however has actually now developed a brand-new iceberg. Credit: BAS
Following the calving of the A-81 iceberg at the end of January 2023, the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica is moving faster than previously. It is presently moving approximately 4 meters (13 feet) a day towards the sea, whereas before the calving it moved at an average of between 1-2.5 meters (3-8 feet) a day. The observations have been submitted this week to the journal The Cryosphere.
The Brunt Ice Shelf is amongst the most studied ice shelves in the world. Scientist consider that climate modification has actually not played a significant role in the current acceleration of the Brunt Ice Shelf.
This connection assisted stabilize the ice rack for most of the last 67 years because it was first occupied and instrumented. The ice rack is now moving at a rate usually only measured on ice shelves fed by extremely fast-flowing outlet glaciers such as Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica.
Following the calving of the A-81 iceberg at the end of January 2023, the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica is moving faster than previously. The Brunt Ice Shelf is amongst the most studied ice racks in the world. Scientist think about that climate change has actually not played a significant role in the recent velocity of the Brunt Ice Shelf. The tracking data are used to aid functional planning at Halley Research Station, which is positioned on the most steady part of the Brunt Ice Shelf, 20 km from the brand-new ice front. BAS operations groups are presently preparing for a regular field season at Halley with a team of 40 individuals flying to the Brunt Ice Shelf in November 2023.
Following the calving of the A-81 iceberg at the end of January 2023, the Brunt Ice Shelf is moving faster than previously. Credit: BAS
Researchers at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are carefully keeping an eye on the situation using GPS devices deployed on the ice and satellite information. The tracking data are used to aid functional preparation at Halley Research Station, which is positioned on the most stable part of the Brunt Ice Shelf, 20 km from the new ice front. In 2016, BAS took the preventative measure of moving Halley Research Station 23 km inland of the fissure (Chasm-1) that eventually caused the calving of the A-81 iceberg, after it started to expand.
Scientists at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) are carefully keeping an eye on the scenario utilizing GPS equipment released on the ice and satellite information. Credit: BASA
Halley is closed throughout the Antarctic winter and no staff are presently on station. Bachelors degree operations teams are currently planning for a regular field season at Halley with a team of 40 people flying to the Brunt Ice Shelf in November 2023.
BAS operations groups are currently preparing for a routine field season at Halley with a group of 40 individuals flying to the Brunt Ice Shelf in November 2023. Credit: BAS
Teacher Dominic Hodgson, a BAS glaciologist who becomes part of the science team that has actually been studying the Brunt Ice Shelf for over a years states:
” This is a vibrant circumstance. We anticipated the ice rack to respond to the calving of A-81. We are carrying and keeping an eye on the velocity out even more experiments to figure out if, and when, the ice shelf will re-establish contact with the sea flooring. This will be evidenced by a stabilization or decline in ice rack speed, which we will be able to tape in real-time. Our science and operations groups continue to keep an eye on the ice rack to ensure it is safe, and to preserve the shipment of the science we undertake at Halley.”
Reference: “Brief Communication: Rapid acceleration of the Brunt Ice Shelf after calving of iceberg A-81” by Oliver J. Marsh, Adrian J. Luckman and Dominic A. Hodgson, Submitted, The Cryosphere.DOI: 10.5194/ egusphere-2023-1949.