Tsunami in Japan Caused Ice to Break in Antarctica

Though this is not the first time earthquakes have caused the calving (ice breaking off of larger ice landmasses, like Antarctica) of icebergs, this is the first occasion when scientists have been able to directly link the two. When the tsunamis hit Japan in March, the earthquakes responsible for them also caused large icebergs to break off of Antarctica eight thousand miles away. Scientists have observed from this event the significance of sea ice during ice calving. If sea ice is present, it protects the otherwise vulnerable Antarctic fronts. In this case, very little sea ice could be found and therefore the ice calved. Not only does this affect the continent of Antarctica, but its inhabitants as well. Penguins rely on the ice for breeding, and polar bears rely on the ice for everything. Of course, not much can be done about this because we can’t stop earthquakes from causing ice calving any more than we can prevent tsunamis. However, awareness about this situation is important because as more and more of the ice caps melt away, the edges could be weak and it could progress to the point where even small earthquakes can cause ice calving. Also, as these huge icebergs are calved from the fronts of Antarctica, ships need to stay alert for them so as they pass through freezing waters they won’t be taken by surprise.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44061689/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.TkG8KWGqj9o