Satellite Images Show Continued Breakup of 2 of Greenland's Largest Glaciers (1 of 2) (IMAGE)

Ohio State University

Satellite Images Show Continued Breakup of 2 of Greenland's Largest Glaciers (1 of 2)

Caption

If the Petermann glacier breaks up back to the upstream rift, the loss would be as much as and additional 160 sq. km (60 sq. mi); a loss of one third of the massive Petermann ice tongue. The Petermann glacier thins from 600 m thickness at the grounding line to 70 m at the terminus. The crack is advancing to a point where a massive breakup seems imminent, in which case, the area of break-up would be 56-60 sq. miles (147-160 sq. km).

Credit

Photo courtesy Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University.

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