Open AccessRift in Antarctic Glacier: A Unique Chance to Study Ice Shelf Retreat
Author(s) -
Howat Ian M.,
Jezek Ken,
Studinger Michael,
MacGregor Joseph A.,
Paden John,
Floricioiu Dana,
Russell Rob,
Linkswiler Matt,
Dominguez Roseanne T.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2012eo080001
Subject(s) - glacier , geology , rift , iceberg , oceanography , ice calving , surge , submarine , ice shelf , physical geography , future sea level , ice sheet , sea ice , geomorphology , cryosphere , structural basin , geography , pregnancy , lactation , biology , genetics
It happened again, but this time it was caught in the act. During the last week of September 2011 a large transverse rift developed across the floating terminus of West Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier, less than 5 years after its last large calving event, in 2007 (Figure 1). Pine Island Glacier's retreat has accelerated substantially in the past 2 decades, and it is now losing 50 gigatons of ice per year, or roughly 25% of Antarctica's total annual contribution to sea level rise [ Rignot et al. , 2008]. The glacier's recent accelerated retreat is likely triggered by ocean warming and increased submarine melting. As such, it is of significant interest to glaciologists and of heightened societal relevance.