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| Ice bridge ruptures in Antarctic | Ice bridge ruptures in Antarctic |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| An ice bridge linking a shelf of ice the size of Jamaica to an island in Antarctica has snapped. | An ice bridge linking a shelf of ice the size of Jamaica to an island in Antarctica has snapped. |
| Scientists suggest the collapse could mean that the Wilkins Ice Shelf is on the brink of breaking away, and that it provides evidence of global warming. | Scientists suggest the collapse could mean that the Wilkins Ice Shelf is on the brink of breaking away, and that it provides evidence of global warming. |
| The shelf has been retreating since the 1990s, but scientists say this is the first time it has lost one of the connections that keep it in place. | The shelf has been retreating since the 1990s, but scientists say this is the first time it has lost one of the connections that keep it in place. |
| It broke off at the thinnest point of the 40-km (25-mile) strip of ice. | It broke off at the thinnest point of the 40-km (25-mile) strip of ice. |
| A European Space Agency satellite picture shows newly-created ice-bergs floating in the sea on the western side of the Antarctic peninsula, which juts up from the continent towards South America's southern tip. | A European Space Agency satellite picture shows newly-created ice-bergs floating in the sea on the western side of the Antarctic peninsula, which juts up from the continent towards South America's southern tip. |
| "It's amazing how the ice has ruptured," David Vaughan, a glaciologist with the British Antarctic Survey, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. | "It's amazing how the ice has ruptured," David Vaughan, a glaciologist with the British Antarctic Survey, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. |
| "Two days ago it was intact. We've waited a long time to see this." | "Two days ago it was intact. We've waited a long time to see this." |
| While the break-up will have no impact on sea level, it heightens concerns over the impact of climate change on this part of Antarctica. | While the break-up will have no impact on sea level, it heightens concerns over the impact of climate change on this part of Antarctica. |
| They say the Antarctic Peninsula, which juts out into the Southern Ocean towards the tip of South America, has experienced unprecedented warming over the last 50 years. | They say the Antarctic Peninsula, which juts out into the Southern Ocean towards the tip of South America, has experienced unprecedented warming over the last 50 years. |
| Several ice shelves have retreated in the past 30 years - six of them collapsing completely. | Several ice shelves have retreated in the past 30 years - six of them collapsing completely. |