MODIS: Larsen B Ice Shelf Collapses

This animation shows the break up of the Larsen B
ice shelf. Images were taken by the instrument MODIS.

The first image is from 31 January 2002 shows the shelf in late austral summer with
dark bluish melt ponds dotting its surface.

In the next image is from 17 February minor retreat takes place,
amounting to about 800 square km, during which time several of the melt ponds well away from
the ice front drain through new cracks within the shelf.

In the next image is from 23 February minor retreat takes place,
amounting to about 800 square km, during which time several of the melt ponds well away from
the ice front drain through new cracks within the shelf.

The next image is from 5 March, with thousands of sliver icebergs and a large light
blue area of very finely divided bergy bits where the shelf formerly lay. Brownish streaks within the
floating chunks mark areas where rocks and morainal debris are exposed from the former underside and
interior of the shelf.

The last image is from 7 March, with thousands of sliver icebergs and a large light
blue area of very finely divided bergy bits where the shelf formerly lay. Brownish streaks within the
floating chunks mark areas where rocks and morainal debris are exposed from the former underside and
interior of the shelf. The last phases of the retreat totalled approximately 2600 square km.

Video slate image reads "MODIS: Larsen B Ice Shelf Collapses. Five true color images of the events of January, February, and March 2002 as recorded by NASA's MODIS satellite sensor. THe images show the Larsen B ice shelf and parts of the Antarctic Peninsula".