Satellite data shows entire Conger ice shelf has collapsed in Antarctica

[Zorro]

Source: The Guardian

Nasa scientist says complete collapse of ice shelf as big as Rome during unusually high temperatures is ‘sign of what might be coming’

An ice shelf about the size of Rome has completely collapsed in East Antarctica within days of record high temperatures, according to satellite data.

The Conger ice shelf, which had an approximate surface area of 1,200 sq km, collapsed around 15 March, scientists said on Friday.

East Antarctica saw unusually high temperatures last week, with Concordia station hitting a record temperature of -11.8C on 18 March, more than 40C warmer than seasonal norms. The record temperatures were the result of an atmospheric river that trapped heat over the continent.

Ice shelves are extensions of ice sheets that float over the ocean, playing an important role in restraining inland ice. Without them, inland ice flows faster into the ocean, resulting in sea level rise.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/25/satellite-data-shows-entire-conger-ice-shelf-has-collapsed-in-antarctica

[Justice matters.]

1. But, hey! Let's keep bombing each other for oil profits...

to benefit the ruling big-oil oligarchs! They so desperately need more billions each year. What would they do without them? Poor souls...

[RussBLib]

2. hard not to be a little cynical

warning after warning and too little action

some people "get it," but massive special interests and corporations pretty much rule the day.

Far from what the Founding Fathers intended

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

4. When ice cubes melt in your scotch, the glass will not overflow.

Same with a floating ice shelf. If it breaks loose, if it melts, no change in sea level. It's the ice on land that will chang the shoreline.

But, in the name of climate science, I will pour a Bourbon-on-rocks and study the results. (I don't have any scotch) I think the sun is over the yardarm ...

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. Yes! Chin-Chin!

https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3113025/chin-chin-how-chinese-drinking-toast-became-popular-europe

[MOMFUDSKI]

8. The warmer the water, referring to the oceans and not a cocktail,

the more SPACE it takes up. Molecules going faster . . .

[Warpy]

9. Oh, I love the overflowing drink argument

Just top up the drink until it's at the rim of the glass, say that rim represents the current sea level. Then drop in an ice cube, splashing the drink all over them and say that's what happens when ice that's mostly above sea level splits off a glacier and into the ocean.

They'll cuss and run for a bathroom and stink like a distillery for the rest of the night, but they tend to get the point.

Serves them right for that stupid an argument.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. Icebergs calved from a glacier could indeed raise the sea level.

An ice shelf is already floating in the ocean, so if it breaks away from the continent, no change in sea level.

My overflowing drink experiment was a total failure. By the time the ice melted, the glass was almost empty. No matter, I feel just fine about the outcome.

[Warpy]

11. An ice sheet averages 45% below sea level

(yes, I looked it up), so when it breaks off, it sinks so that 90% of it is below sea level, so yes, it raises sea level before and after it melts. My example still holds water. Your lap would hold booze.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

13. The part that's above the surface, yes, but IIRC most of this ice was already below water

Obviously this is alarming for myriad reasons, but 1900 sq km of ice melting that's probably not standing super tall over the water isn't going to make a difference to global levels.

But this is gonna happen over and over and over ...

[Warpy]

15. Check out my second post

Ice shelf ice is not floating in water, it's mostly hanging over it. It will make a difference. It will be measured in fractions of millimeters, nothing dramatic. However, as ice shelves continue to collapse, it's cumulative.

The geologic record does have examples of sudden and dramatic sea level rising and falling. About all I can think of that would cause enough of a rise to be noticed by ordinary people along the coastline is dramatic melting in central Greenland followed by a glacial collapse that allows it to drain quickly. That's not outside the realm of possibility, but it's not going to happen any time soon.

[TeamProg]

7. Winning !

[Samrob]

12. So the next big conflicts will be over access and control those ice covered oil reserves?

Russia sits over the worlds larges reserves but they can't get to it yet. But wait for it. Putin will be gone but who will take his place?
And what will OPEC be doing?

[Duppers]

14. K & R

This is not good, not at all.

[getagrip_already]

16. russian state media.....

will announce that the war in ukraine is aimed at stopping global warming. The use of the nukes will be an attempt to drop global temps.

It is all a part of vlads plan.