Lanny-yap: Antarctica's 19-Mile Ice Crack

12 February 2012

Antarctica's 19-Mile Ice Crack

In mid-October 2011, NASA scientists working in Antarctica discovered a massive crack across the Pine Island Glacier, a major ice stream that drains the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Extending for 19 miles (30 kilometers), the crack was 260 feet (80 meters) wide and 195 feet (60 meters) deep. Eventually, the crack will extend all the way across the glacier, and calve a giant iceberg that will cover about 350 square miles (900 square kilometers).

The size of the expected iceberg will likely exceed the combined area of New York City's five boroughs.

Via TPM

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12 February 2012

Antarctica's 19-Mile Ice Crack

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