A 6,000-square-kilometer avalanche in Antarctica separates it from the glacier

A large avalanche in Antarctica has split from the Larsen Sea Shelf due to rising creek.

The avalanche creek, which separates from the Larsen Sea Shelf, was steadily rising.

As big as Wales, the size of this landslide is 6,000 square kilometers. The avalanche was observed by an American satellite passing over the Larsen Ice Shelf area.

Antarctica: Avalanche cracks widen Massive avalanche near Antarctica

Scientists were expecting the avalanche to be isolated as the glacier had been cracking for more than a decade.

However, since 2014, the process of cracking has accelerated. The fissure suddenly widened last December, and only 20 kilometers of the 6,000-square-kilometer landslide was connected to the glacier.

The Larsen Sea Avalanche is located in the northernmost part of Antarctica and is 200 meters thick.

Scientists have been monitoring the cracks in the Larsen Sea for a long time. It should be noted that Larsen A and Larsen B had earlier separated from the northernmost region of Antarctica in 1995 and again in 2002.

The 200-meter-thick avalanche will not be able to travel much faster or go too far in a short period of time. However, it needs to be monitored.

The tidal wave and strong winds will push the landslide north of the Antarctic, where it will pose a threat to ships.

Infrared sensors from the American satellite Aqua show clear water between the glacier and the isolated landslide. This suggests that the water is slightly warmer than the surrounding snow and air.

The European satellite Sentinel One will soon be able to capture images of the landslide.

What is the difference between the past and the present?

When the record of hurricanes began to be recorded, it is clear that the hurricane that broke away from the Larsen Sea shelf is one of the ten largest hurricanes, but it is nothing compared to the huge hurricanes that have separated in the Antarctic. Is.

According to records, the largest hurricane in the era of satellites was B15. The eruption broke off the Russian ice shelf in 2000 and covered an area of ​​11,000 square kilometers.

Even six years later, small parts of the landslide passed close to New Zealand.

In 1956, it was reported that the US Navy's icebreaker ship was hit by a 32,000-kilometer-long landslide. It was larger than Belgium in size. Unfortunately, at that time there were no satellites that could monitor or confirm the landslide.

The Larsen Sea Shelf is also known for its number of landslides. In 1986, a 9,000-square-kilometer landslide occurred.