User:Ctmathies/Giant iceberg from Antarctica under scientific watch

A glacier that broke off from Antarctica is under watch by scientists. The iceberg is roughly six-times the size of Manhattan, New York, which makes it one of the largest icebergs in existence. The iceberg, known as B31 separated from Antarctica's Pine Island Glacier in November.

Professor Grant Bigg, from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Geography, is leading the study to monitor the movement and melting of the iceberg. The team is working to predict any path it is likely to take and any environmental effects that may emerge.

“Its current movement does not raise environmental issues, however a previous giant iceberg from this location eventually entered the South Atlantic and if this happens it could potentially pose a hazard to ships,” Grant said.

NASA glaciologist Kelly Brunt is one of the scientist monitoring B31. Brunt noted the size of the iceberg covers about 255 square miles (660 square km) and is up to one-third of a mile (500 meters) thick. The iceberg is being monitored for its size and surprising location. The Pine Island Glacier has been under close watch over the past two decades due to rapid thinning and its potential to be a main contributer to rising sea levels, according to scientists.

Sources:

http://earthsky.org/science-wire/scientists-track-iceberg-the-size-of-manhattan

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/scientists-monitor-huge-iceberg-broke-antarctica-n87791