Satellite images show 5,000-year-old ice caps on brink of disappearing

Two Canadian ice caps that began forming some 5,000 years ago are on the brink of disappearing.

Located on the Hazen Plateau near St. Patrick Bay, the domed glaciers have experienced severe shrinkage over the past decades.

Images acquired through NASA's Terra satellite illustrate the profound loss that has occurred since the mid 20th century.

In 1959, the larger of the frozen masses measured roughly 3 square miles. By 2015, only 7% of that area remained.

The smaller ice cap is only 6% of its former size.

Scientists believe a few decades from now they may be gone completely.

Mark Serreze, director of the National Snow & Ice Data Center, commented, "To think that they are likely to die before I do blows my mind."

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