Ice shelf disintegration threatens environment: The disintegration of Larsen B is almost certainly a response to human-induced global warming, says Queen's geographer Robert Gilbert, the only Canadian researcher on the international research team. Antarctic temperatures have increased more than 10°C in the last 25 years. By comparison, the world-wide temperature change during the entire post-glacial period has only been 2 – 3°C, he adds.

The breaking up of Larsen B alone will not change sea level, but other glaciers previously restricted by the ice shelf have surged forward, lowering their surfaces, says Dr. Gilbert. Lower elevations have warmer temperatures, which warm the glaciers and cause more melt and more flux of ice to the sea. So that is having and will have an effect on global sea levels. As more ice is lost there may be a greater impact on sea level than previously predicted.

Further, with the increased energy in the atmosphere associated with global warming, there will be more storms, he warns. Storm surges, which also raise water levels, will have profound effects on low-lying areas and may necessitate infrastructure like the large moveable dams called surge gates already used in Europe and Providence, R.I., that can be closed during extreme high sea levels to prevent flooding.

Via Science News Daily.