Chunk of Antarctic ice shelf collapses, putting larger area at risk

Rapid melting on Wilkins Shelf is attributed to global warming.

From the Associated Press
March 26, 2008

WASHINGTON -- A chunk of Antarctic ice about seven times the size of Manhattan has collapsed, scientists said Tuesday, putting an even greater portion of glacial ice at risk.

Satellite images show the runaway disintegration of a 160-square-mile chunk in western Antarctica that started Feb. 28. It was the edge of the Wilkins Ice Shelf and had been there for perhaps 1,500 years.

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-antarctic26mar26,0,4061120.story