ESA - Observing the Earth - Understanding Our Planet - Wilkins Ice Shelf under threat

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Wilkins Ice Shelf under threat

28 November 2008

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This image, acquired by Envisat’s Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) sensor on 26 November 2008, shows new rifts on the Wilkins Ice Shelf that developed from 10 August to 26 November 2008. These rifts joined previously existing rifts (denoted by blue-dotted line). The development of these rifts threatens to collapse the ice bridge that has been preventing the ice shelf from disintegrating and breaking away from the Antarctic Peninsula.

Dr Angelika Humbert from the Institute of Geophysics, Münster University, provided the interpretations on the image.

Credits: A. Humbert, Münster University, Germany (based on ESA Envisat images)

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As Antarctica summer is about to begin, the Wilkins Ice Shelf is experiencing significant changes which could lead to a new break-up. This animation, comprised of images acquired by Envisat’s Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) between 20 November and 26 November 2008, shows the gradual opening of fractures during the last days, in particular on 26 November 2008.

Credits: ESA

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Break-ups of Larsen-B and Wilkins ice shelves

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Map showing break-up events of Larsen-B and Wilkins ice shelves, as observed by Envisat, in Antarctica.

Credits: ESA