Brief Communication: Newly developing rift in Larsen C Ice Shelf presents significant risk to stability

Jansen, D.; Luckman, A.J.; Cook, A.; Bevan, S.; Kulessa, B.; Hubbard, B.; Holland, P.R.

NORA

Brief Communication: Newly developing rift in Larsen C Ice Shelf presents significant risk to stability

Jansen, D.; Luckman, A.J.; Cook, A.; Bevan, S.; Kulessa, B.; Hubbard, B.; Holland, P.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8370-289X. 2015 Brief Communication: Newly developing rift in Larsen C Ice Shelf presents significant risk to stability. The Cryosphere, 9 (3). 1223-1227. 10.5194/tc-9-1223-2015

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Abstract

An established rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf, formerly constrained by a suture zone containing marine ice, grew rapidly during 2014 and is likely in the near future to generate the largest calving event since the 1980s and result in a new minimum area for the ice shelf. Here we investigate the recent development of the rift, quantify the projected calving event and, using a numerical model, assess its likely impact on ice shelf stability. We find that the ice front is at risk of becoming unstable when the anticipated calving event occurs.

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