NASA will host a media teleconference at 9:30 a.m. PDT (12:30 p.m. EDT) Monday, May 12, to discuss new research results on the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and its potential contribution to future sea level rise.

The briefing participants are:

-- Eric Rignot, professor of Earth system science at the University of California, Irvine, and glaciologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California;

-- Sridhar Anandakrishnan, professor of geosciences at Pennsylvania State University, University Park; and,

-- Tom Wagner, cryosphere program scientist with the Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

Questions can be submitted on Twitter using the hashtag #askNASA.

For decades, scientists have recognized that this area of the massive ice sheet covering Antarctica is particularly vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate. The majority of the ice sheet in West Antarctica is grounded on bedrock that lies below sea level, making it susceptible to melting from warm ocean waters.

Audio of the teleconference will be streamed live at: http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

The event will also be streamed, with visuals, on: http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2

A link to relevant graphics will be posted at the start of the teleconference on NASA's Earth Right Now site: http://www.nasa.gov/earthrightnow

News Media Contact

Alan BuisJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-354-0474Alan.buis@jpl.nasa.govSteve ColeNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-0918stephen.e.cole@nasa.gov2014-146