Nature & Environment

Huge Antarctic iceberg heads for open ocean

By T.K. Randall
April 25, 2014

Image: Antarctica - Petermann Island
Credit: W. Bulach / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) The huge 500m thick iceberg, which measures 33km long and 20km wide, is now heading towards the open sea where it could soon pose a risk to ships.

Its separation from the glacier is yet another indicator that global temperatures are still on the increase. Scientists estimate that the Pine Island Glacier alone, when melted, could cause sea levels to rise by 1.5m.NASA is now monitoring the iceberg to keep track of its size and location.

"It's floating off into the sea and will get caught up in the current and flow around the Antarctica continent where there are ships," said research scientist Dr Bethan Davies.

It is believed that it could take at least a year for the iceberg to melt away completely.

Source: The Guardian

Tags: Antarctic, Glacier, Iceberg