Massive ice island breaks off Greenland

Gerald · 08-07-10, 12:03 PM

(CNN) -- A piece of ice four times the size of Manhattan island has broken away from an ice shelf in Greenland, according to scientists in the U.S.

The 260 square-kilometer (100 square miles) ice island separated from the Petermann Glacier in northern Greenland early on Thursday, researchers based at the University of Delaware said.

The ice island, which is about half the height of the Empire State Building, is the biggest piece of ice to break away from the Arctic icecap since 1962 and amounts to a quarter of the Petermann 70-kilometer floating ice shelf, according to research leader Andreas Muenchow.

"The freshwater stored in this ice island could keep the Delaware or Hudson rivers flowing for more than two years. It could also keep all U.S. public tap water flowing for 120 days," Muenchow said.

Muenchow's team is studying ice in the Nares Strait separating Greenland from Canada, about 1,000 kilometers south of the North Pole

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am....html?iref=NS1

Note:August 7, 2010 Updated 1343 GM

SteamWake · 08-07-10, 12:23 PM

Glaciers are awsome.

Its hard to believe that something so big massive and solid is actually fluid in nature.

No mention of where they expect it to drift off to? Bet one of the first things they do is put radar reflectors on it, not that its hard to spot something that large.

Gerald · 08-07-10, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Glaciers are awsome.

Its hard to believe that something so big massive and solid is actually fluid in nature.

No mention of where they expect it to drift off to? Bet one of the first things they do is put radar reflectors on it, not that its hard to spot something that large.

thick,and they mentioned the there might be problems for shipping, now runs the South.Free Ice in the wiskey

Sailor Steve · 08-07-10, 01:03 PM

"Iceberg ahead, Captain!"

"Whereaway?"

"Um, everywhere, sir!"

UnderseaLcpl · 08-07-10, 01:26 PM

Clearly, now is the time to put Leonardo Dicaprio on a ship.

STEED · 08-07-10, 01:31 PM

Great!

All we need is for it to melt and to turn off the deep water flow and a new ice age here we come.

Gerald · 08-07-10, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Glaciers are awsome.

Its hard to believe that something so big massive and solid is actually fluid in nature.

No mention of where they expect it to drift off to? Bet one of the first things they do is put radar reflectors on it, not that its hard to spot something that large.

to set up a system on the ""block"" to warn other ships or the like, which certainly will be if it comes close enough to the ship routes,unless it is time to melt or change course.

Admiral8Q · 08-07-10, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

No mention of where they expect it to drift off to?

Probably off Newfoundland.

mookiemookie · 08-07-10, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

Clearly, now is the time to put Leonardo Dicaprio on a ship.

Hey wait, he's actually turned into a decent actor now.

Gerald · 08-07-10, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admiral8Q

Probably off Newfoundland.

Newfoundland and Canada's east coast,I hope my IXC have high ice class rating..

Betonov · 08-07-10, 05:39 PM

the damn thing should have broken off 3 weeks ago and drifted into the adriatic (somehow), the heat wave was a killer

frau kaleun · 08-07-10, 09:03 PM

I just wish they would report the size of this thing in terms I can really wrap my head around.

For instance, exactly how many potential margaritas are we talking about?

krashkart · 08-07-10, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

I just wish they would report the size of this thing in terms I can really wrap my head around.

For instance, exactly how many potential margaritas are we talking about?

Enough to last you several lifetimes... depending on how much you like margaritas.

frau kaleun · 08-07-10, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

Enough to last you several lifetimes... depending on how much you like margaritas.

The hard part is gonna be finding a long enough extension cord for the blender.

Sledgehammer427 · 08-07-10, 09:36 PM

simple, Frau, we get my uncle out there with his gas-powered beach blender.

And I will be grabbing a cup of coffee, as I said I would when the world is coming to an end.

08-07-10, 12:03 PM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Massive ice island breaks off Greenland (CNN) -- A piece of ice four times the size of Manhattan island has broken away from an ice shelf in Greenland, according to scientists in the U.S. The 260 square-kilometer (100 square miles) ice island separated from the Petermann Glacier in northern Greenland early on Thursday, researchers based at the University of Delaware said. The ice island, which is about half the height of the Empire State Building, is the biggest piece of ice to break away from the Arctic icecap since 1962 and amounts to a quarter of the Petermann 70-kilometer floating ice shelf, according to research leader Andreas Muenchow. "The freshwater stored in this ice island could keep the Delaware or Hudson rivers flowing for more than two years. It could also keep all U.S. public tap water flowing for 120 days," Muenchow said. Muenchow's team is studying ice in the Nares Strait separating Greenland from Canada, about 1,000 kilometers south of the North Pole http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am....html?iref=NS1 Note:August 7, 2010 Updated 1343 GM __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

08-07-10, 12:23 PM	#2
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Glaciers are awsome. Its hard to believe that something so big massive and solid is actually fluid in nature. No mention of where they expect it to drift off to? Bet one of the first things they do is put radar reflectors on it, not that its hard to spot something that large. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

08-07-10, 01:03 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	"Iceberg ahead, Captain!" "Whereaway?" "Um, everywhere, sir!" __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-07-10, 01:26 PM	#5
UnderseaLcpl Silent Hunter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Storming the beaches! Posts: 4,254 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Clearly, now is the time to put Leonardo Dicaprio on a ship. __________________ I stole this sig from Task Force

08-07-10, 01:31 PM	#6
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Great! All we need is for it to melt and to turn off the deep water flow and a new ice age here we come. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

08-07-10, 05:39 PM	#11
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	the damn thing should have broken off 3 weeks ago and drifted into the adriatic (somehow), the heat wave was a killer

08-07-10, 09:03 PM	#12
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	I just wish they would report the size of this thing in terms I can really wrap my head around. For instance, exactly how many potential margaritas are we talking about?

08-07-10, 09:36 PM	#15
Sledgehammer427 PacWagon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Drinking coffee and staring at trees in Massachusetts Posts: 2,908 Downloads: 287 Uploads: 0	simple, Frau, we get my uncle out there with his gas-powered beach blender. And I will be grabbing a cup of coffee, as I said I would when the world is coming to an end. __________________ Cold Waters Voice Crew - Fire Control Officer Cmdr O. Myers - C/O USS Nautilus (SS-168) 114,000 tons sunk - 4 Spec Ops completed V-boat Nutcase - Need supplies? Japanese garrison on a small island in the way? Just give us a call! D4C!