Wilkins Ice Shelf Almost Detached

The ice bridge that connects the Wilkins Ice Shelf to Antarctica is in the process of collapsing. Over the past week, a large section of sea ice (the size of Jamaica) broke from the bridge and floated away. Once the rest of the ice bridge is gone, the formerly-stable Wilkins Ice Shelf will be more vulnerable to collapse.

The image was captured by the European Union's ENVISAT satellite. More images here.