The giant ice island was split in half

The giant ice island Ayles is drifting off the north coast of Canada that has been split into two halves earlier than expected. Two ice sheets are moving very fast. One of the two blocks covered about 98 km of water surface within a week.

It is feared that these ice sheets could move west off the coast of Alaska, affecting oil exploration.

A research scientist Luke Copland (University of Ottawa - Canada) said: 'The phenomenon of hot earth (Photo: Getty Images, Canada) came up with a reduction in the amount of ice on the ocean that is seriously hurting ice islands. It is a relatively unusual thing. In the past ice islands were only in the Arctic Ocean or the northern part of Queen Elizabeth Island. Now they are moving fast south. '

According to Dr. Copland's conclusion, unlike the previous ice islands in the Arctic Ocean, which usually have a lifespan of 50 years or more, ice islands now generally exist in shorter time.

He said: 'Eventually these ice islands will melt quickly because the temperature is getting warmer. I don't believe they can last for more than 10 years. '

The study team at Ayles in May also measured the average thickness of the ice island is 42-45m, equivalent to the height of the 10-storey house.

According to the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), the Arctic sea ice has also dropped to a record of 4.13 million square kilometers on September 16 (exceeding the previous record level measured in 2005. is 5.32 million km ² ).

Phan Thi Thuy Linh