Events
A massive 120-square-kilometer iceberg separated from the Petermann Glacier, one of Greenland's largest glaciers. The release of large amounts of ice from such large glaciers into the ocean can contribute to rising sea levels around the world. The Petermann Glacier last broke off in 2010, and it was four times the size of Manhattan.
Although the block of ice that broke off is not as huge as its predecessor two years ago, its breakage pushed the front of the glacier even farther from land than it was 150 years ago.
The resulting ice fracture has begun to expand in recent years, as can be seen on satellite images. On the morning of July 16, the ice island separated.
Although the breaking off of large icebergs from glaciers is a natural and cyclical process, when this process accelerates, there is cause for concern.
When floating glaciers, called ice shelves, weaken and break off, as happens in Antarctica, more ice enters the ocean and global sea levels rise.