A giant ice sheet in the Arctic was separated from the mainland

On December 28, Canadian scientists announced that a giant ancient strip of ice had separated from Ellesmere Island south of the Arctic region of Canadian territory. Experts identify major climate change as the main cause of this phenomenon. This tape is called Ayles and is about 66 km ^{2 wide} .

By studying images taken from satellites and seismic data, scientists discovered that the strip had completely detached from the island of Ellesmere on the afternoon of August 13, 2005, and formed one. New ice island.

Arctic researcher, Warwich Vincent of Laval University (Canada) came to the new ice island and was surprised at the scene here. He said that this was the "most impressive " event taking place in Canada in the past 30 years and the country is slowly losing one of the striking natural scenes formed thousands of years ago.

Ayles is one of six floating ice sheets still connected to Canada's mainland in the Arctic and has existed for more than 3,000 years. Currently the area of ​​these bands is only 90% compared to the first time discovered in 1906. Many scientists have expressed concern that the ice melted faster than previously predicted due to climate change. In 2002, another strip of ice on Ellesmere Island was also discovered to be half-detached.

Although the Ayles Ice Island, a few days after its separation, stopped at a location 50km from Ellesmere Island, scientists are concerned that in the spring, when temperatures rise, the ice island may drift away. and become a great danger for ships passing through the area.