It is generally accepted by the scientific community that the reason why glaciers are globally melting at record rates and ice chunks are frequently breaking from glaciers is the rising temperatures caused by climate change.
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Images taken by Sentinel-1A, a satellite, belonging to the European Space Agency, prove the glacier in western Greenland, lost a chunk of ice measuring around 12.5 sq km. Earlier this month, researchers noticed that the glacier had receded several miles to its most easterly position since recording began in the 1880s.
Satellite images from NASA show that the Jakobshavn glacier, the fastest-moving in Greenland, shed 4.8 square miles of ice, resulting in one of the most dramatic calving events in history. Some observers speculated that the area of ice lost could very well be the largest on record. The image composite includes different Sentinel-1A images from 27 July, and 13 and 19 August.
Though the calving event is significant by Greenland standards, it would be dwarfed by the icebergs released by Antarctica’s glaciers.
The iceberg is an estimated 12.5 square kilometers across and has a depth of around 1400 meters, meaning a volume of 17.5 cubic kilometers.
Radar images feature the glacier before and after the calving event which occurred between August . 14 and 16.
Studied for over 250 years, the Jakobshavn glacier has helped to develop our understanding of the significance of ice streams and in local weather change, icecap glaciology, and the way they have an effect on sea degree. They continue to be, typically for years, caught on the underside in shallower areas of the fjord till they lastly soften sufficient to disperse, break into items or are pushed out by icebergs arising from behind.
Radar imaging allows images to be captured in the dark or when clouds are present, making it highly useful for maritime surveillance, monitoring ice sheets, charting sea ice and improving ship safety.
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The Sentinels are a fleet of satellites designed specifically to deliver the wealth of data and imagery that are central to the European Commission’s Copernicus programme.
