Friday, April 17, 1998 Published at 15:06 GMT 16:06 UK
Antarctic ice shelf begins break-up
The Larsen B ice shelf is breaking up
Satellite images have revealed that a large section of a giant Antarctic ice shelf has broken away. It confirms the fears of scientists who warned that the Larsen B ice shelf was under threat because of global warming. Our science correspondent David Whitehouse reports.
"This may be the beginning of the end for the Larsen Ice Shelf," said Ted Scambos, of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado.
Scientists believe that the Larsen shelf will continue to crumble rapidly from early next year. No more reduction is expected until summer ends in Antarctica in late December.
Antarctic peninsula ice shelves have been in rapid retreat for the past few decades, apparently in response to regional warming.
Scientists blame climate change, with temperatures around Antarctica rising five times faster than the global average. Experts say the breakaway chunk will not have an immediate effect on sea levels as ice shelves are already floating in the sea.
In early 1995 a smaller ice shelf, called Larsen A, completely disintegrated during a single storm after years of shrinking.
"Ice shelves are good indicators for climate change since they respond to change within decades," said Ted Scambos.
Some scientists believe that global warming will result in the total loss of all Antarctic ice shelves within a century or two.