Increased export of grounded ice after the collapse of northern Larsen ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, observed by Envisat ASAR

Time series of satellite radar image data of Envisat ASAR were used to study the retreat of ice shelves and glaciers at northern Larsen Ice Shelf,Antarctic Peninsula, up to March 2007. After the disintegration event in March 2002, the small remaining ice shelf section of Larsen B decreased further in area. The retreat of grounded glacier ice continued also. The glacier velocities above previous Larsen B increased further since 2004, but the acceleration has been smaller than in the first two years after the collapse in 2002. Ice export increased rapidly after the glaciers started to calve directly into the ocean. The sea level contribution due to discharge of grounded ice above the disintegrated ice shelf sections amounts to about 6% of the present glacier and ice sheet contribution to sea level rise.