Difference between revisions of "Ross Ice Shelf"
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The '''Ross Ice Shelf''' is the largest [[ice shelf]] of [[Antarctica]] (as of 2013 an area of roughly 500,809 km<sup>2</sup> | [[File:Map-antarctica-ross-ice-shelf-red-x.png|thumb|Ross Ice Shelf is indicated by red X]] | ||
The '''Ross Ice Shelf''' is the largest [[ice-shelf|ice shelf]] of [[Antarctica]] (as of 2013 an area of roughly 500,809 km<sup>2</sup>) and about 800k across, about the size of France), lying between [[Westarctica]] and [[Victoria Land]]. It is several hundred meters thick. The nearly vertical ice front to the open sea is more than 600 km long, and between 15 and 50 m high above the water surface. Ninety percent of the floating [[ice]], however, is below the water surface. [[Roosevelt Island]] is located entirely with and is covered by this shelf. | |||
Most of Ross Ice Shelf is in the [[Ross Dependency]] claimed by New Zealand. It floats in, and covers, a large southern portion of the [[Ross Sea]] and the entire Roosevelt Island located in the west of the Sea. | Most of Ross Ice Shelf is in the [[Ross Dependency]] claimed by New Zealand. It floats in, and covers, a large southern portion of the [[Ross Sea]] and the entire Roosevelt Island located in the west of the Sea. The portion of the shelf along the [[Gould Coast]] is within Westarctica's claimed territory. | ||
The ice shelf is named after Captain Sir [[James Clark Ross]], who discovered it on 28 January 1841. It was originally called "the Barrier", with various adjectives including "Great Ice Barrier", as it prevented sailing further south. Ross mapped the ice front eastward to 160°W. In 1947, the US Board on Geographic Names applied the name "Ross Shelf Ice" to this feature and published it in the original US Antarctic Gazetteer. In January 1953 the name was changed to "Ross Ice Shelf". and in 1956 the name was published. | The ice shelf is named after Captain Sir [[James Clark Ross]], who discovered it on 28 January 1841. It was originally called "the Barrier", with various adjectives including "Great Ice Barrier", as it prevented sailing further south. Ross mapped the ice front eastward to 160°W. In 1947, the US Board on Geographic Names applied the name "Ross Shelf Ice" to this feature and published it in the original US Antarctic Gazetteer. In January 1953 the name was changed to "Ross Ice Shelf". and in 1956 the name was published. | ||
==Protection by the Government== | |||
::''Main article: [[Ross Ice Shelf Conservation Zone]]'' | |||
On 20 April 2025, [[Grand Duke Travis]] declared the Ross Ice Shelf a conservation zone under the oversight of the [[Westarctican Parks Service]]. It was protected in the first group of sites named by the government. | |||
While only a small fraction of the Ross Ice Shelf is within the borders of Westarctica, as the world's largest single deposit of freshwater ice, its preservation is of critical importance to the world's balance. Should the shelf melt, it would have a paradigm-altering effect on not just ocean levels, but also sea salinity, and changes to both from its loss would irrevocably alter coastal and marine biomes. Due to these concerns, it was deemed crucial that Westarctica do whatever it can to protect the area and raise awareness of its plight with the small foothold its portion of oversight provides. | |||
The zone comprises the entirety of the Ross shelf within Westarctican borders, including the surrounding shores; with portions of [[MacAyeal Ice Stream]] and the nearmost areas of the Harrison and Shabtale ice streams. | |||
[[Category:Ice Shelves]] | |||
[[Category:Geography of Westarctica]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:37, 28 April 2025
The Ross Ice Shelf is the largest ice shelf of Antarctica (as of 2013 an area of roughly 500,809 km2) and about 800k across, about the size of France), lying between Westarctica and Victoria Land. It is several hundred meters thick. The nearly vertical ice front to the open sea is more than 600 km long, and between 15 and 50 m high above the water surface. Ninety percent of the floating ice, however, is below the water surface. Roosevelt Island is located entirely with and is covered by this shelf.
Most of Ross Ice Shelf is in the Ross Dependency claimed by New Zealand. It floats in, and covers, a large southern portion of the Ross Sea and the entire Roosevelt Island located in the west of the Sea. The portion of the shelf along the Gould Coast is within Westarctica's claimed territory.
The ice shelf is named after Captain Sir James Clark Ross, who discovered it on 28 January 1841. It was originally called "the Barrier", with various adjectives including "Great Ice Barrier", as it prevented sailing further south. Ross mapped the ice front eastward to 160°W. In 1947, the US Board on Geographic Names applied the name "Ross Shelf Ice" to this feature and published it in the original US Antarctic Gazetteer. In January 1953 the name was changed to "Ross Ice Shelf". and in 1956 the name was published.
Protection by the Government
- Main article: Ross Ice Shelf Conservation Zone
On 20 April 2025, Grand Duke Travis declared the Ross Ice Shelf a conservation zone under the oversight of the Westarctican Parks Service. It was protected in the first group of sites named by the government.
While only a small fraction of the Ross Ice Shelf is within the borders of Westarctica, as the world's largest single deposit of freshwater ice, its preservation is of critical importance to the world's balance. Should the shelf melt, it would have a paradigm-altering effect on not just ocean levels, but also sea salinity, and changes to both from its loss would irrevocably alter coastal and marine biomes. Due to these concerns, it was deemed crucial that Westarctica do whatever it can to protect the area and raise awareness of its plight with the small foothold its portion of oversight provides.
The zone comprises the entirety of the Ross shelf within Westarctican borders, including the surrounding shores; with portions of MacAyeal Ice Stream and the nearmost areas of the Harrison and Shabtale ice streams.