A few weeks ago, we were treated to the usual media hysteria about global warming when a part of the Wilkins Ice Shelf in Antarctica broke off and fell into the ocean. The hype overlooked the fact that overall ice volume in Antartca is increasing and that with the exception of one area, the continent is cooling.
I mentioned then that more experienced observers then I had noticed that the cause of the collapse seemed to be mecahnical stress not melting- apparently ice gets more brittle as it gets colder!
Some people have noticed that the photos published of this year's event were in fact exactly the same photos published a year ago when the same shelf collapsed. In fact, it's an annual event, which is what you expect really considering that icebergs have to come from somewhere!
For more details and some annual photos click here.
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