What MIDAS does

MIDAS investigates how climate warming affects the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica.

The project studies the formation of large summer melt ponds and their influence on ice shelf structure and stability. Fieldwork, satellite observation, and computer simulations are used to understand these processes.

Why this matters

Melt ponds weaken the ice shelf and may contribute to rift growth and iceberg calving. Understanding these effects is essential for predicting the future stability of Larsen C and potential contributions to sea-level rise.

How the project works

MIDAS combines multiple approaches to study ice shelf dynamics:

• Fieldwork: measuring ice structure and monitoring melt processes directly on Larsen C.
• Satellite observation: tracking rift development and iceberg calving using ESA Sentinel-1 and other satellite data.
• Computer simulations: modelling ice shelf response to melt and climate change.
• Monitoring: using sensors and loggers to record ice shelf conditions over time.

MIDAS logger on the Larsen C Ice Shelf in the Antarctic Peninsula

Science objectives

The project aims to:

• investigate the impact of surface melt on ice shelf structure
• monitor rift growth and iceberg calving events
• model ice shelf response to climate warming
• improve understanding of ice shelf stability and future behaviour
• provide data to inform sea-level rise projections

Who is involved

MIDAS is led by Swansea University and Aberystwyth University, with support from BAS and UK and international partners. The project is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

Project partners:

1. Impact of giant Antarctic iceberg – update on Larsen-C

     The largest remaining ice shelf on the Antarctic Peninsula lost 10% of its area when an iceberg four times the size of London broke free earlier this month. Since […]

   Read more of: Impact of giant Antarctic iceberg – update on Larsen-C

   

2. Huge Antarctic iceberg finally breaks free

   After months of ‘hanging by a thread’ a vast iceberg the size of Norfolk has finally broken off Antarctica’s Larsen C Ice Shelf.  Around 30 metres of this 190m thick […]

   Read more of: Huge Antarctic iceberg finally breaks free

   

3. New footage shows crack in Larsen C Ice Shelf

   British Antarctic Survey (BAS) recently captured this video footage of a huge crack in the Larsen C Ice Shelf, on the Antarctic Peninsula. Currently a huge iceberg, roughly the size […]

   Read more of: New footage shows crack in Larsen C Ice Shelf