If the ice shelf breaks at the crack, Larsen C will be at its smallest size ever recorded. The crack in Larsen C is a third of a mile deep, down to the floor of the ice shelf. Gipps Ice Rise Current rift extent Larsen C Ice Shelf Low shelf support High Bawden Ice Rise If the shelf front disconnects from the ice rises, a rapid retreat will be triggered. Gipps Ice Rise Current rift extent Larsen C Ice Shelf Low shelf support High Bawden Ice Rise If the shelf front disconnects from the ice rises, a rapid retreat will be triggered. Current rift extent Gipps Ice Rise Larsen C Ice ShelfIce rises are areas of an ice shelf with higher elevations, allowing them to shoulder more support of the shelf.

Source: New York Times February 07, 2017 09:56 UTC