Two TerraSAR-X StripMap acquisitions (3.5m resolution) recorded on 06 November 2011 show the large crack that has formed on Pine Island glacier, one of the largest and fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica. The small insert image displays a TerraSAR-X ScanSAR acquisition (17.6m resolution) of the glacier. Courtesy of Astrium Services/Infotera GmbH
Two TerraSAR-X StripMap acquisitions (3.5m resolution) recorded on 06 November 2011 show the large crack that has formed on Pine Island glacier, one of the largest and fastest-moving glaciers in Antarctica. NASA researchers flying over Antarctica have recently discovered this ongoing iceberg calving event. The part of the ice shelf that is ready to break off has a surface area of about 890 square kilometers (340 square miles) and thus is larger than New York City.
At the time of image acquisition, the crack was about 30km long, 80m wide and 50m deep, widening by approximately 2m per day.
The small insert image displays a TerraSAR-X ScanSAR acquisition (17.6m resolution) of the glacier providing a good overview of the glacier and surroundings and the location of the crack (marked by the blue box).