Petermann Glacier Sheds 29.5-Square-Mile Ice Island as Scientists Warn 2 More Calving Events Loom
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Aug 10
Petermann Glacier Sheds 29.5-Square-Mile Ice Island as Scientists Warn 2 More Calving Events Loom
2 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Aug 10
Summary
Satellite images showed Greenland’s Petermann Glacier lost a 29.5-square-mile ice island on Aug. 4, its biggest floating-ice loss since 2012.
Long-developing rifts and deterioration in the glacier’s 43-mile floating ice tongue triggered the break, which detached from the eastern side after damage first appeared on Aug. 3.
Researchers now expect at least two more ice islands—about 36.3 and 32.4 square miles—bringing the glacier’s total reduction to roughly 22%.
The newly detached block is up to 492 feet thick and could drift for years, later fracturing into smaller pieces that threaten shipping and offshore operations.
Scientists say the rare Arctic ice island offers an unusual chance to study how large polar ice masses calve and break apart across regions.