Scientists point to accelerated formation of cracks in Greenland ice sheet
In the formation of cracks in the Greenland ice sheet between 2016 and 2021, a sharp acceleration was recorded. This was reported on Monday, February 3 in the press service of the British Durham University.
According to the educational institution, scientists have studied more than 8 thousand three-dimensional maps of the surface, which were created using high-resolution satellite images.
"In the five years between 2016 and 2021, the size and depth of cracks at the fast-flowing edges of the ice sheet increased significantly. This means that the growth in the number of cracks is faster than previously recorded," the press service said in its materials.
In addition, it is noted that in places where the ice moves faster due to warmer air, the cracks become larger and deeper. In some areas on the edge of the ice sheet recorded an increase in cracks of 25%, with an error of 10%.
Earlier, on January 24, CNN reported that the world's largest iceberg, named A23a, is moving north from Antarctica to the island of South Georgia, part of the British Overseas Territories, and threatens to collide with it. Experts do not rule out that the ice block may collide with part of the British landmass and break into pieces. According to the British Antarctic Survey's forecast, the iceberg is likely to split and eventually melt when it reaches the remote South Georgia Island.
In October 2024, the Russian Geographical Society reported that the 53-hectare Mesyatseva Island disappeared from an archipelago in the Arctic as a result of global warming. The disappearance of the ice formation, which had recently been a cape, was noticed by comparing old and new images of the Franz Josef Land archipelago taken by meteorological satellites.
Later, on November 2, Russian scientists said that the area of ice cover around the world is gradually decreasing, and as a consequence, some ice islands may disappear. They specified that now there is an interglacial period and it is not clear what temperature will be the norm in the next 100 years: perhaps warming will continue, and perhaps the climate on Earth will again rush to the ice age.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
