Freeze dates are defined as the observed period when a lake or river was completely ice-covered, and break-up dates as the last ice break-up seen before the summer open-water phase.

BBC: Ice records reveal warming trend

Temperatures in the Arctic are now even higher than they were then, and a period of renewed ice shelf break-up has ensued since 2002.

BBC: Major ice-shelf loss for Canada

Seasonal rains arrive late or fail altogether, sea ice platforms break-up earlier than in previous springs, king tides flood villages and contaminate food gardens with saltwater.

UNESCO: Communication and Information

News of the Wilkins ice shelf's impending break-up came less than two weeks after the United Nation's Environment Program reported that the world's glaciers are melting away and that they show "record" losses.

CNN: Massive ice shelf on verge of breakup

"As of mid-March, only a narrow strip of shelf ice was protecting several thousand kilometers of potential further break-up, " the group said.

CNN: Massive ice shelf on verge of breakup

Despite not being taken past 30 on serve the Scot still required a tie-break but he remained ice cool, breaking immediately and consolidating with a huge ace.

BBC: Superb Murray wins Masters title

Working alongside the volunteers, they were handed poles to break off blocks or head-high saws to cut through the ice.

WSJ: NY inmates help build ice palace in Adirondacks