One-third of Antarctic ice shelf area at risk of collapse: Study

by Argus News

London, April 9: As climate change is making temperatures soar, more than a third of the Antarctic's ice shelf could be at risk of collapsing into the sea, and causing global sea-levels to rise, new research has shown.

The study, led by a researcher at the University of Reading in England, found that if global temperatures reach 4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, 34 per cent of the area of all Antarctic ice shelves -- around half a million square kilometres -- including 67 per cent of ice shelf area on the Antarctic Peninsula, would be at risk of destabilisation.

Ice shelves -- Larsen C, Shackleton, Pine Island and Wilkins -- were identified as most at-risk under 4 degrees Celsius of warming, due to their geography and the significant runoff predicted in those areas.

Limiting temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius, as mandated by the United Nations under the Paris Climate agreement, would halve the risk and potentially avoid significant sea level rise, said the study, published in the Geophysical Research Letters journal.

"If temperatures continue to rise at current rates, we may lose more Antarctic ice shelves in the coming decades," said Ella Gilbert, a research scientist at the varsity's Department of Meteorology.

"Limiting warming will not just be good for Antarctica -- preserving ice shelves means less global sea level rise, and that's good for us all," she added.

When melted ice accumulates on the surface of ice shelves, it can make them fracture and collapse spectacularly.

Ice shelf vulnerability from this fracturing process was forecast under 1.5 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees Celsius and 4 degrees Celsius global warming scenarios, which are all possible this century.

"Ice shelves are important buffers preventing glaciers on land from flowing freely into the ocean and contributing to sea level rise. When they collapse, it's like a giant cork being removed from a bottle, allowing unimaginable amounts of water from glaciers to pour into the sea," Gilbert said.

"We know that when melted ice accumulates on the surface of ice shelves, it can make them fracture and collapse spectacularly," Gilbert said.

(IANS)

Argus News is hiring!

Seeking highly motivated professionals.

APPLY NOW

Shreya Ghoshal applauds 'Indian Idol 14' contestant's performance of 'Aye Mere Humsafar'

by Swati Sucharita

Mumbai, Nov 30: Singer and judge of 'Indian Idol 14', Shreya Ghoshal lauded the performance of Utkarsh Wankende and said that Nagpur is known for oranges, "but now, your name is attached to it as well."

This Saturday, the evergreen music-composer duo, Anand-Milind, will grace the stage of the singing reality show. Celebrating ‘Hits of Anand-Milind,’ the contestants will belt out their iconic chartbusters to impress judge Shreya Ghoshal and Shekhar Ravjiani, a guest judge for this weekend.

"Maharashtra ki Shaan" Utkarsh from Nagpur will captivate the judges and guests with his exceptional rendition of the song ‘Aye Mere Humsafar’ from the classic ‘Qayamat se Qayamat’, and ‘O Rabba Koi To Bataye’ from the movie ‘Sangeet.’

Shreya said: "Utkarsh, I recently returned from Nagpur and, let me tell you, the only voice I heard there was ‘Utkarsh!’. Everyone in your hometown is so proud of you. I feel so happy that you are gathering love from all over the country, especially your hometown. Nagpur is known for oranges, but now, your name is attached to it as well."

Read more Entertainment News

Complimenting Utkarsh, Shekhar added: "You have a very beautiful and sweet voice. It is certainly a recording voice."

‘Indian Idol Season 14’ airs on Sony.

(IANS)

Pradhan Inaugurates Kendriya Vidyalaya, Lays Foundation Stone For 6 Projects At NIT Rourkela

by Hemanta Pande

Rourkela, Nov 30: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) and laid the foundation stones for six projects at National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) in Odisha on Thursday.

Together with Shri @jualoram laid the foundation stone for six projects and inaugurated a Kendriya Vidyalaya at @nitrourkela today to further strengthen the teaching, learning, innovation and skilling environment at the institution.

These projects, including hostels for boys… pic.twitter.com/bk7OX2ggWL — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) November 30, 2023

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “NIT Rourkela is making its own way through industrial collaboration bringing infrastructural development to the institute. These projects, including hostels for boys and girls, faculty residences, will boost capacities and make campus life more vibrant in line with the New Education Policy (NEP). More than 2500 students will benefit from the projects unveiled today."

According to official sources, NIT Rourkela allocated a 15-acre plot for both the boys' and girls' hostels. Presently, the institute plans to use half of the area for a boys' hostel with a capacity of 1000 and three fourth of the area for three girls' hostels, each with an accommodation capacity of 500 students.

Promoting sustainable practices on campus, the institute is constructing a 1.5 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant and faculty residences, officials said.

Among the three girls’ hostels, one is funded by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) with Rs. 42.69 Cr. under their CSR activity. The other girl’s hostel is funded by the Ministry of Education under the EWS scheme fund. The rest of the project, costing 165.81 Cr. will be completed with the support of HEFA (Higher Education Financing Agency). The infrastructural development of Kendriya Vidyalaya-NIT Rourkela will be supported by Coal India, they added.

Also Read: Let's Resolve Not To Do Jobs But to Provide Employment By 2036: Dharmendra Pradhan

Sundargarh MP Jual Oram, Biramitrapur MLA Shankar Oram, Talsara MLA Bhabani Shankar Bhoi and Director of NIT Rourkela Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao were, among others, present on the occasion.

51,156 Appointment Letters Distributed In Rozgar Mela; 200 In Odisha

by Swati Sucharita

Bhubaneswar, Nov 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday distributed appointment letters to the 51,156 selected candidates via video conferencing in the Rozgar Mela. The Rozgar Mela was held at 37 locations in various States and Union territories all over the country.

Ministers of various departments participated in the Rozgar Mela. In Odisha's Bhubaneswar the Mela was organized at the Railway auditorium. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Minister Bishweswar Tudu participated in Odisha's Rozgar Mela and distributed 200 appointment letters to the newly inducted recruits.

Also read PM Modi Virtually Interacts With Beneficiaries Of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

The new recruits, selected from across the country will be joining the Government in various Ministries/Departments including Department of Revenue, Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Higher Education, Department of School Education and Literacy, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Labour & Employment, among others.

Rozgar Mela is a step towards fulfilment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord highest priority to employment generation. Rozgar Mela is expected to act as a catalyst in further employment generation and provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and participation in national development.

One-third of Antarctic ice shelf area at risk of collapse: Study

Download Mobile App