Brief Communication: Newly developing rift in Larsen C Ice Shelf presents significant risk to stability
D. Jansen1,A. J. Luckman2,A. Cook2,S. Bevan2,B. Kulessa2,B. Hubbard3,and P. R. Holland4D. Jansen et al. D. Jansen1,A. J. Luckman2,A. Cook2,S. Bevan2,B. Kulessa2,B. Hubbard3,and P. R. Holland4
1Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven, Germany
2Department of Geography, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
3Centre for Glaciology, Institute for Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
4British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, UK
Received: 05 Feb 2015 – Discussion started: 11 Feb 2015 – Revised: 19 May 2015 – Accepted: 23 May 2015 – Published: 15 Jun 2015
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.
