One of the largest icebergs ever recorded is expected to break away from the Larsen C continental shelf in Antarctica , according to scientists . The ice , which covers about half , is now connected to the ice shelf , the most northern major shelf in the region , by just 20 km of ice . Scientists believe that the potential break - up is a geographical , rather than a climate event . However , if the ice does separate , the entire shelf , which holds back the remnants of glaciers feeding into West Antarctica , is vulnerable to break - up . This could potentially raise global sea levels by 10 cm .
One of the largest icebergs ever recorded is expected to break away from the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica, according to scientists.The ice, which measures about 5,000km2, is now connected to the ice shelf, the most northern major shelf in the region, by just 20km of ice. Scientists believe that the potential break-up is a geographical, rather than a climate event. However, if the ice does separate, the entire shelf, which holds back the flow of glaciers feeding into West Antarctica, is vulnerable to break-up. This could potentially raise global sea levels by 10cm.