Massive Crack in Glacier discovered in Antarctica

NASA scientists working in Antarctica discovered a massive 19-mile crack across the Pine Island Glacier, a major ice stream that drains the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in October, 2011, it was announced recently. Extending for 19 miles (30 kilometers), the crack was 260 feet (80 meters) wide and 195 feet (60 meters) deep. Eventually, the crack will extend all the way across the glacier, and calve a giant iceberg that will cover about 350 square miles (900 square kilometers). This image is from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument on NAS's Terra spacecraft was acquired November 13, 2011, and covers an area of 27 by 32 miles (44 by 52 kilometers), and is located near 74.9 degrees south latitude, 101.1 degrees west longitude. UPI/ NASA