The Vanishing Antarctic


Genre: Documentaries


Duration: 1 x 60’


Year of Production: 2011


Production Company: Rockhopper TV


Commissioned By: BBC World News


Definition: HD


The West Antarctic Ice Shelf is melting right under the feet of scientists. Richard Wilson travels to the West Antarctic to see the work of the British scientists investigating changes to the shape of the ice and the possible consequences for our world. Until recently the area was considered safe from rapid melting. Now something has made the experts change their minds – it is melting more than 100 times faster than expected! It is now believed that the melting of the Pine Island Glacier and the West Antarctic Ice Shelf may be the biggest factor in global sea level rise this century. The great coastal cities of the world could be swamped by five metres of water if the West Antarctic Ice Shelf goes. “It’s beginning to look like the greatest vanishing act on earth” – presenter Richard Wilson.