Glaciers accelerated after an ice shelf disappeared — Larsen B
Changes in glacier speed and thickness were observed after the Larsen B collapse. The case distinguishes floating-ice loss from additional land-ice discharge.
Updated Oct 28, 2026
Why should the loss of floating ice be examined together with land glaciers?
Collapse and subsequent observations
NASA records the Larsen B ice shelf collapse in 2002. Subsequent satellite observations showed nearby glaciers accelerating and thinning.
Direct melting versus loss of restraint
The key is not just the floating ice itself but the subsequent change in land-glacier flow. Weaker shelf restraint can increase land-ice discharge to the ocean, a pathway missed by considering only the direct effect.
Sources [2]
No prediction of identical rates
This is a historical observation in a particular region. It alone cannot predict when other shelves will collapse, how their glacier speeds will change or total sea-level rise.
Sources
- NASA: Larsen B Ice Shelf CollapseAccessed Oct 28, 2026
- NASA JPL: Glaciers Surge When Ice Shelf Breaks UpAccessed Oct 28, 2026