News
Watch this page for project updates. We will upload progress reports during the patrol (communication links permitting), including photos, video, media interviews, press releases and scientific publications as they are available.
The Ward Hunt Ice Shelf calves two ice islands
August 28, 2008
Images courtesy of MODIS. NASA 2008.
The Ward Hunt Ice Shelf calved a total of 20 square kilometers of ice off into the Arctic Ocean between July 22-24th 2008. This calving event follows the discovery of a major network of cracks by IPY scientists and the Canadian Rangers during the Ellesmere patrol in April 2008.
Two ice islands were formed in the event. The first, a 4.5 kilometer squared ice island calved on July 22nd, followed by a much larger 14 kilometer squared ice island on July 23rd.
This recent calving of the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf is yet another in a series of collapses of the ice shelves of Ellesmere Island that is consistent with ongoing climate change. There has been no indication the ice shelves are regenerating and this is very unlikely in the near future, as all climate models project that the Arctic will continue to warm significantly in the coming years.
For more information on the Ward Hunt collapse see:
BBC News - Canadian Arctic sheds ice chunk
© 2008 Ellesmere Ice Shelves
Timelapse satellite image animation of the calving if the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf in July 2008. Courtesy of MODIS Rapid Response Project. NASA 2008.