Collapse of the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica - May 1998

Collapse of the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica - May 1998

In 1998, a research team from the University of Colorado in the United States reported that the Larsen A Ice Shelf in Antarctica had begun to collapse due to the effects of global warming. This collapse has been highlighted as a serious example of the progression of global warming. Specifically, from 1995 to 1998, about 200 square kilometers of the Larsen A Ice Shelf collapsed, and a further collapse of 12,000 square kilometers is anticipated.

The Larsen Ice Shelf, located at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, had been in a stable state for a long time, but since the late 1990s, its collapse has accelerated. The cause of this collapse is the rapid rise in temperatures in the Antarctic region due to global warming. The warming of seawater beneath the ice shelf is particularly causing the ice to melt at a rapid pace.

The collapse of the Larsen A Ice Shelf is expected to accelerate sea level rise. If the entire Larsen Ice Shelf collapses, large amounts of ice from Antarctica's glaciers will flow into the ocean, potentially causing sea levels to rise by several centimeters over the coming decades. This would significantly impact coastal cities worldwide, increasing the risk of flooding and land loss.

The impact of this ice shelf collapse extends to the global environment, emphasizing the urgent need for action against global warming. Experts are continuing to monitor the situation, as further large-scale collapses may occur.