Research maps how much ice the Antarctic can afford to lose

By Lucy Cormack, Environment Reporter
Updated February 9 2016 - 3:08am, first published 3:00am
Ice shelves most susceptible to ice loss are considered to be vulnerable due to the "very warm ocean waters" that can reach the cavities between the shelves.
Ice shelves most susceptible to ice loss are considered to be vulnerable due to the "very warm ocean waters" that can reach the cavities between the shelves.
Researchers have found ice shelves in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen seas are the most susceptible to further ice loss. Photo: JPLraw/Youtube
Researchers have found ice shelves in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen seas are the most susceptible to further ice loss. Photo: JPLraw/Youtube

Scientists are calling for urgent monitoring of Antarctic ice shelves, as a new paper finds large areas of ice could lose their land-locked roots if as little as 5 to 13 per cent of the shelves were to disappear.

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