Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute have discovered cracks in the ‘floating ice tongue’ of the glacier, which they believe could cave at any minute. Worryingly, if a mass of ice breaks off the glacier, it could be carried out to sea, with corresponding effects on global sea levels. The ice tongue currently extends around 43 miles (70km). Niklas Neckel, co-author of the study, said: “We now know that the loss of icebergs increases the glacier’s flow rate. “In addition, we’ve observed that calving events on Petermann Glacier are happening more frequently.

Source: Daily Mirror February 07, 2019 14:42 UTC