UAB Antarctic explorer and polar expert discusses Larsen C ice shelf collapse and global health implications

Birmingham, Alabama, July 12, 2017 -- University of Alabama at Birmingham polar biologist and Antarctic explorer, Jim McClintock, Ph.D., provides advance insight into the Larsen C ice shelf break that occurred sometime between Monday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 12.

Larsen C ice shelf map

This ice shelf break, which encompasses a 5,800 square kilometer, one-trillion ton section of Larsen C in Antarctica, is one of the biggest iceberg breaks ever recorded in history. Its volume is more twice that of Lake Erie.

McClintock offers a unique perspective on this monumental event, as he speaks to the incredible effects that Antarctica’s extremely diverse ecosystem will experience, and ultimately how this break will impact global ecology.

We have video interview footage of his discussion of the break, and its global climate and health implications, already available— a sample of which you can view here:

• https://vimeo.com/223797669
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek5hS-6HCZA&t=19s

This video is available for you to download, along with additional raw interview footage, if you are interested in seeing more.

We can arrange phone interviews beginning today, July 12. Live or taped HD interviews are available with Dr. McClintock via our news studio through LTN Global Networks beginning July 13 around 4 p.m. Central time.

On Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. Central time, UAB will host a Facebook Live Q&A session with Dr. McClintock at www.facebook.com/UAB.edu/. 

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ef4fb21d-e87c-4b73-b596-2af028f4a8d2

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/324ed2df-3a30-4683-be92-73e5f7d2aada

Tyler Greer
University of Alabama at Birmingham
205-234-8774
[email protected]