One of the first photos taken by Envisat, ESA's Earth observation satellite in March 2002 - the collapse of the Larsen B ice shelf observed on 18 March 2002.

Over the last decade ERS-1 and -2 have been monitoring changes in the region. Together with ERS data, this image (orbit 250) documents the 100 km retreat of the Larsen B ice shelf. The break-up has now reched the rock faces of the Peninsula itself. Envisat's ASAR will make regular all-weather observations and enable detailed studies of the extent, surface motion and surface melt of all the ice shelves around Antarctica.