Image of the day

Glacial forces at the edge of Antarctica

Earth Observation | Copernicus
Glaciers
Glacial forces at the edge of Antarctica
Location: Antarctica
Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, acquired on 17 March 2025, shows the flow of the David Glacier as it feeds into the Drygalski Ice Tongue in East Antarctica.

Stretching  90 km into the Ross Sea, the ice tongue is one of the largest floating ice extensions in Antarctica. The linear structure of the ice tongue reveals its dynamic forward movement over time, shaped by internal flow and ocean interaction. Ice tongues like this change in size and shape over time, reshaped by calving events, waves and storms.

Copernicus delivers key data for tracking glacier dynamics and calving events in remote areas. Regular monitoring supports climate research, helping scientists assess how Antarctic ice loss contributes to global sea-level rise.

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