Articles | Volume 18, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-705-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-705-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Brief communication
| Highlight paper
| 
13 Feb 2024
Brief communication | Highlight paper |
| 13 Feb 2024
| 13 Feb 2024
Brief communication: Rapid acceleration of the Brunt Ice Shelf after calving of iceberg A-81
British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
Adrian J. Luckman
Department of Geography, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
Dominic A. Hodgson
British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
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Co-editor-in-chief
The ongoing acceleration and disintegration of Antarctic ice shelves is a topic of keen interest to the scientific community. Recent years have seen multiple calving events, some of which have produced large icebergs. In this study, the effect of such a large iceberg-calving event is studied through remote sensing data. The authors show how the break-off of the iceberg led to significant ice speed-up, demonstrating the important effect of calving on the ice shelves.
The ongoing acceleration and disintegration of Antarctic ice shelves is a topic of keen interest...
Short summary
The Brunt Ice Shelf has accelerated rapidly after calving an iceberg in January 2023. A decade of GPS data show that the rate of acceleration in August 2023 was 30 times higher than before calving, and velocity has doubled in 6 months. Satellite velocity maps show the extent of the change. The acceleration is due to loss of contact between the ice shelf and a pinning point known as the McDonald Ice Rumples. The observations highlight how iceberg calving can directly impact ice shelves.
The Brunt Ice Shelf has accelerated rapidly after calving an iceberg in January 2023. A decade...
