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1966 Photo Reveals Ocean Warming's Role in Ice Shelf Collapse

7/10/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A 1966 U.S. Navy photo of the Wordie Ice Shelf has become a crucial tool for scientists at the University of Copenhagen, revealing that rising ocean temperatures, rather than atmospheric warming, are the main culprits behind its collapse. This urgent research underscores the critical need to tackle greenhouse gas emissions to prevent devastating sea-level rise.

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Story summary

A 1966 U.S. Navy photo of the Wordie Ice Shelf has become a crucial tool for scientists at the University of Copenhagen, revealing that rising ocean temperatures, rather than atmospheric warming, are the main culprits behind its collapse. This urgent research underscores the critical need to tackle greenhouse gas emissions to prevent devastating sea-level rise.