Cook Ice Shelf

Cook Ice Shelf

Cook Ice Shelf is an ice shelf about 55 miles wide, occupying a deep recession of the coastline, Cook Bay which lies between Cape Freshfield and Cape Hudson. This ice shelf was called a bay by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911–14, under Douglas Mawson, who named it for Joseph Cook, Prime Minister of Australia in 1914. The generic term has been amended, as the bay is permanently filled by an ice shelf.

Scientists studying the effects of global warming have proposed that sea water encroachment in the area could destabilize a significant portion of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.[1]

Coordinates: 68°40′S 152°30′E / 68.667°S 152.5°E / -68.667; 152.5

References

  1. ^ Pearce, Fred (2007). With Speed and Violence: Why scientists fear tipping points in climate change. Beacon Press Books. ISBN 978-0-8070-8576-9. 

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Geological Survey document "Cook Ice Shelf" (content from the Geographic Names Information System).