Scientists have discovered that a large rift is widening across and increasingly fragile Antarctic ice shelf.

Whenever the calve out occurs, it will be that largest since the calving in 2000.  This calving though is not assumed to increase the sea levels, however will effect temperatures and land and sea ice across the Antarctic peninsula affecting native wildlife and may disrupt global ocean circulation.

The seriousness of the matter can be deciphered from the fact that scientists, who have been monitoring the rift, noticed that the rift expanded to 22 kilometers in 6 months – much faster than anticipated.

Source: Toronto Star | Tech Times