Climatic conditions, mass balance and dynamics of Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, prior to collapse

• Published in: Annals of glaciology Vol. 39; pp. 557 - 562
• Main Authors: Skvarca, Pedro, De Angelis, Hernán, Zakrajsek, Andrés F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.01.2004
• Subjects: Marine; Antarctica, Antarctic Peninsula
• ISSN: 0260-3055; 1727-5644; 1727-5644
• DOI: 10.3189/172756404781814573

Following the collapse of Larsen A in 1995, about 3200 km2 of Larsen B ice shelf disintegrated in early 2002 during the warmest summer recorded on the northeastern Antarctic Peninsula. Immediately prior to disintegration the last field campaign was carried out on Larsen B. Measurements included surface net mass balance, velocity and strain rate on a longitudinal transect along Crane Glacier flowline and over a remnant section confined within Seal Nunataks that survived the collapse. In addition, an automatic weather station located nearby allowed derivation of melt days relevant to the formation and extent of surface meltwater. Repeated surveys allowed us to detect a significant acceleration in ice-flow velocity and associated increasing strain rates along the longitudinal transect. It may be possible to use this acceleration as a predictor of imminent ice-shelf collapse, applicable to ice shelves subject to similar climatic conditions. Additional information on recent ongoing changes was provided by a visible satellite image acquired in early 2003.