Larsen C is the fourth largest ice shelf in Antarctica. It has an area of about 50,000 sq km
5,800 sq km
iceberg
Antarctica
Larsen C
ice shelf
Estimated final
trajectory of
the rift
5,800 sq km
iceberg
Jun ‘17
25km
Jun ‘16
May ‘16
Larsen C ice shelf
How the rift advanced
It’s unknown how the rift spreads between observations
Jun ‘17
As the rift forked a new branch took the lead
180 km
The spreading of the rift slows when passing through softer ice that’s less likely to shatter
155
Jun ‘16
130
Steep jumps indicate the rift grew quickly
May ‘16
105
80
2011
2013
2015
2017
To illustrate the size of the iceberg, we overlaid it on the New York area
100 km
100 miles
Connecticut
Long
Island
New York City
Area of
5,000 sq km
Larsen C is the fourth largest ice shelf in Antarctica. It has an area of about 50,000 sq km
Estimated final
trajectory of
the rift
Jun ‘17
5,800 sq km
iceberg
Weddell Sea
Jun ‘16
May ‘16
25km
Larsen C ice shelf
How the rift advanced
Jun ‘17
Steep jumps indicate the rift grew quickly
180 km
As the rift forked a new branch took the lead
155
The spreading of the rift slows when passing through softer ice that’s less likely to shatter
Jun ‘16
130
May ‘16
It’s unknown how the rift spreads between observations
105
80
2011
2013
2015
2017
5,800 sq km
iceberg
To illustrate the size of the iceberg, we overlaid it on the New York area
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Antarctica
Long
Island
New York City
Larsen C
ice shelf
Area of
5,000 sq km
100 km
Pennsylvania
100 miles