A huge iceberg, the size of the UK county of Bedfordshire, has broken off the Brunt Ice Shelf.

The phenomenon is known as calving and comes almost a decade after scientists at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) first detected the growth of vast cracks in the ice.

The first indication that a calving event was imminent came in November 2020 when a new chasm – named North Rift – headed towards another large chasm near the Stancomb-Wills Glacier Tongue 35 km (21.7 miles) away.

It's the third major crack in the ice shelf that's become active in the last ten years.

During January, the rift pushed northeast at up to 1 km(0.62 miles) per day, cutting through the 150 meters (492 feet) thick floating ice shelf.  

The iceberg was formed when the crack widened several hundred meters in a few hours on the morning of 26th February, finally breaking free from the rest of the floating ice shelf.

The calving is not expected to pose a threat to BAS's Halley Research Station which is located on the Brunt ice shelf.

Share:
More In Science
Arctic Blast Hits Northeast
An arctic blast is hitting the Northeast as millions are dealing with wind chills that could hit as low as 60 below zero.
Atomos Developing Space Propulsion Vehicles to Reposition Satellites
Aerospace startup Atomos Space, which is developing a series of orbital transfer vehicles to help reposition satellites in space, recently closed on a $16 million financing round. CEO Vanessa Clark and COO William Kowalski joined Cheddar News to discuss the company's operations ahead of its launch.
Need2Know: January 31, 2023
First responders fired after video of police beating Tyre Nichols was released, 10 people show in Lanland, Fla. and winter storm is causing travel troubles. Here is everything you Need2Know for January 31, 2023.
Load More