{"id":396974,"date":"2026-03-30T14:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T04:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/seeing-blue-during-schirmachers-summer-melt-season\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T14:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T04:01:00","slug":"seeing-blue-during-schirmachers-summer-melt-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=396974","title":{"rendered":"Seeing Blue During Schirmacher\u2019s Summer Melt Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none 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href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher&#039;s-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=2160&#038;%23038;h=2437&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2160\" height=\"2437\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=2160&#038;h=2437&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A network of cerulean blue meltwater drainage channels flowing across white and blue ice surfaces. An \"oasis\" of land appears as a brown rocky area in the lower part of the image.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=2160&#038;h=2437&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2160w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=266&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 266w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=768&#038;h=866&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=908&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 908w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1361&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1361w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1815&#038;h=2048&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1815w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=355&#038;h=401&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 355w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=532&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 532w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=798&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 798w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1064&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1064w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1773&#038;h=2000&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1773w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Cerulean blue meltwater flows through drainage channels on the Nivlisen Ice Shelf, Antarctica, in this image acquired on January 6, 2026, by the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat\/oli\/\" rel=\"noopener\">OLI<\/a> (Operational Land Imager) on <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/landsat-9\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Landsat 9<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Michala Garrison<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Summer is a busy season at <a href=\"https:\/\/ncpor.res.in\/files\/40%20Antarctic%20Exp\/Schirmacher%20Oasis%20map.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Schirmacher Oasis<\/a>, a rocky, ice-free plateau in Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica. Located near the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/figure\/The-Nivlisen-Ice-Shelf-central-DML-coast-The-location-of-the-main-map-is-shown-in-the_fig1_354330272\" rel=\"noopener\">grounding line<\/a> of Nivlisen Ice Shelf<strong> <\/strong>and about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the open waters of the Lazarev Sea, the \u201coasis\u201d of land amid an otherwise continuous expanse of ice is home to dozens of small <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/figure\/a-Map-of-Antarctica-showing-the-location-of-Schirmacher-Oasis-b-Geomorphological-map_fig1_317561286\" rel=\"noopener\">ice-covered freshwater lakes<\/a> and two research stations.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the season when all-white <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarctica.gov.au\/about-antarctica\/animals\/flying-birds\/petrels-and-shearwaters\/snow-petrel\/\" rel=\"noopener\">snow petrels<\/a> are sometimes spotted soaring over the oasis, and fuzzy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarctica.gov.au\/about-antarctica\/animals\/flying-birds\/south-polar-skua\/\" rel=\"noopener\">south polar skua<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarctica.gov.au\/about-antarctica\/animals\/flying-birds\/petrels-and-shearwaters\/wilsons-storm-petrel\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Wilson\u2019s storm petrel<\/a> chicks grow up in sheltered crevices on its cliffs and ridges. Under constant sunlight, the plateau\u2019s freshwater lakes come to life, supporting cyanobacterial growth and teeming with microscopic tardigrades, rotifers, and nematodes. At times, groups of Ad\u00e9lie penguins toddle through the oasis and <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00300-025-03421-6\" rel=\"noopener\">attempt to breed<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>The summer months are also when temperatures creep just above freezing long enough for expansive networks of seasonal melt ponds and drainage channels on and within the surrounding ice to fill with bright blue meltwater that flows north onto and across the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/figure\/The-Nivlisen-Ice-Shelf-central-DML-coast-The-location-of-the-main-map-is-shown-in-the_fig1_354330272\" rel=\"noopener\">Nivlisen Ice Shelf<\/a>. The satellite image above shows seasonal melt on January 6, 2026, during the peak of the 2026 melt season. \u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher&#039;s-summer-melt-season\/maitristation_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=720&#038;%23038;h=500&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/maitristation_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=720&#038;h=500&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Schirmacher Oasis appears as a brown rocky plateau dotted with ice-covered lakes surrounded by fields of mostly white ice.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/maitristation_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=720&#038;h=500&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 720w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/maitristation_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=300&#038;h=208&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/maitristation_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=400&#038;h=278&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/maitristation_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=600&#038;h=417&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Lakes dot the rocky surface of Schirmacher Oasis in this image acquired on January 6, 2026, by the OLI on Landsat 9.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Michala Garrison<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Nivlisen Ice Shelf is a floating tongue that forms as glacial ice flows off Antarctica and into the waters of the Lazarev Sea. The many <a href=\"https:\/\/\/Users\/avoiland\/Downloads\/r\">blue ice areas<\/a> found around the oasis are snow-free areas where old, compressed glacial ice with few air bubbles has been exposed by powerful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/news\/earthword-katabatic-winds\" rel=\"noopener\">katabatic winds<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/water-science-school\/science\/sublimation-and-water-cycle\" rel=\"noopener\">sublimation<\/a>. This dense ice absorbs red wavelengths of light and reflects blue wavelengths, making it appear blue. Blue ice areas are rare in Antarctica, covering about <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2023GL106285\" rel=\"noopener\">1 percent<\/a> of the continent\u2019s surface.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe image captures the Nivlisen Ice Shelf during a phase of strong, system-wide hydrological connectivity,\u201d said Geetha Priya Murugesan, a remote sensing scientist with the Jyothy Institute of Technology in Bengaluru, India. Such features aren\u2019t always visible in optical satellite imagery, she added, noting that they are often frozen, buried under snow, or drained. \u201cThis image is notable because the \u2018cerulean veins\u2019 we see on the surface align with a deeper, persistent plumbing system that we monitor with radar.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher&#039;s-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1981&#038;%23038;h=1280&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1981\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1981&#038;h=1280&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Drainage channels filled with blue meltwater zigzag across the white surfaces of Nivlisen Ice Shelf .\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1981&#038;h=1280&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1981w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=300&#038;h=194&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=768&#038;h=496&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=662&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=992&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=400&#038;h=258&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=600&#038;h=388&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=900&#038;h=582&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenmeltpond_oli2_20260106.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=775&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1981px) 100vw, 1981px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Surface drainage channels filled with meltwater flow across the Nivlisen Ice Shelf in this image acquired on January 6, 2026, by the OLI on Landsat 9.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Michala Garrison<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Murugesan and colleagues have <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/rs15245676\" rel=\"noopener\">analyzed<\/a> decades of satellite data and conducted several years of field research in the area, including in 2026. Their work shows that since 2000, the surface melting caused by seasonal melt ponds and channels on the ice shelf has grown in depth, area, and volume. The depth and volume of melt features grew by a factor of 1.5, while their surface area increased by a factor of 1.2.<\/p>\n<p>Murugesan thinks that the visibility of the drainage network in images like these hints at a deeper vulnerability of the ice shelf. The drainage channels trace preexisting structural weaknesses, including crevasses, that act as \u201chydraulic pathways\u201d that concentrate meltwater in vulnerable zones near the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antarcticglaciers.org\/glacier-processes\/grounding-lines\/\" rel=\"noopener\">grounding line<\/a>, where it can weaken the ice shelf, Murugesan said.<\/p>\n<p>The researchers have also linked peak melting periods like this one to <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s43017-024-00638-7\" rel=\"noopener\">atmospheric rivers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/foehn\" rel=\"noopener\">foehn winds<\/a> that enhance surface melting and help route meltwater through the drainage networks. The dark color<strong>\u2014<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.earthdata.nasa.gov\/topics\/land-surface\/albedo\" rel=\"noopener\">low albedo<\/a><strong>\u2014<\/strong>of the many blue ice areas surrounding the oasis contributes to drainage events by making ice surfaces less reflective, warmer, and thus more prone to summer melting, Murugesan added.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While Murugesan and colleagues are currently conducting a detailed analysis of the 2026 melt season to determine how it compares to past years, she said it appears to be a \u201cstrong melt event consistent with elevated melt conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p><em>NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/earthexplorer.usgs.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>U.S. Geological Survey<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em> <em>Story by Adam Voiland.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 role=\"textbox\" class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"5249\" height=\"4641\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=5249&#038;h=4641&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"A network of cerulean blue meltwater drainage channels flowing across white and blue ice surfaces. An \"oasis\" of land appears as a brown rocky area in the lower part of the image.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 58% 32%; object-position: 58% 32%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=5249&#038;h=4641&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 5249w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=265&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=679&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=905&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1358&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1811&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=354&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=531&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=796&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1061&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher's-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5249px) 100vw, 5249px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">January 6, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (11.75 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/seeing-blue-during-schirmacher&#039;s-summer-melt-season\/nivlisenicesheet_oli2_20260106_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources <\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chen, J., <em>et al.<\/em> (2026) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5194\/egusphere-2025-5562\" rel=\"noopener\">Interannual and Seasonal Evolution of Supraglacial Channel Networks on Nivlisen Ice Shelf, East Antarctica<\/a>. <em>Egusphere, <\/em>preprint. <em>\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Chouksey, A.,<em> et al. <\/em>(2021)<em> <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.polar.2021.100740\" rel=\"noopener\">Mapping and identification of ice-sheet and glacier features using optical and SAR data in parts of central Dronning Maud Land (cDML), East Antarctica<\/a>. <em>Polar Science, 30, 100740.<\/em><\/li>\n<li>EGU Blogs (2024, June 21) <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.egu.eu\/divisions\/cr\/2024\/06\/21\/blue-ice-in-antarctica-small-extent-big-science\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Blue ice in Antarctica: small extent, big science<\/a>. Accessed March 26, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Murugesan, G.P., <em>et al.<\/em> (2026) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.31223\/X5ZV13\" rel=\"noopener\">Decadal Evolution of Supraglacial Hydrology on the Nivlisen Ice Shelf: From Localized Ponding to Spatially Synchronized Hydrofracture Forcing (2015-2026)<\/a>. <em>Earth ArXiv<\/em>, preprint.                               <\/li>\n<li>Murugesan, G.P., <em>et al.<\/em> (2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/978-981-97-8868-2_10\" rel=\"noopener\">Surface Melt Assessment of Nivlisen Ice Shelf, East Antarctica via SAR Satellite Data Analysis During Austral Summer 2022-2023<\/a>. In: Shukla, P.K., <em>et al.<\/em> Computer Vision and Robotics. CVR 2024. Algorithms for Intelligent Systems. (Springer, Singapore.)<em>\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Murugesan, G.P., <em>et al.<\/em> (2024) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.taylorfrancis.com\/chapters\/oa-edit\/10.1201\/9781032686899-24\/monitoring-melt-ponds-supra-glacial-lakes-nivlisen-ice-shelf-east-antarctica-using-satellite-based-multispectral-data-geetha-priya-raghavendra-dhanush-rakshita-mahesh-deva-jefflin\" rel=\"noopener\">Monitoring of Melt Ponds and Supra-Glacial Lakes over Nivlisen Ice Shelf, East Antarctica, Using Satellite-Based Multispectral Data<\/a>. Civil Engineering Innovations for Sustainable Communities with Net Zero Targets.<em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Murugesan, G.P., <em>et al.<\/em> (2023) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/rs15245676\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Dynamics of Climate Change Impact: Temporal Patterns of Surface Warming and Melting on the Nivlisen Ice Shelf, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica<\/a>. <em>Remote Sensing,<\/em> 15(24), 5676.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Pande, A., <em>et al.<\/em> (2020) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0032247420000364\" rel=\"noopener\">Past records and current distribution of seabirds at Larsemann Hills and Schirmacher Oasis, east Antarctica<\/a>. <em>Polar Record,<\/em> 56, e40<\/li>\n<li>Ryan, P.G. (2024) <a href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.usf.edu\/marine_ornithology\/vol52\/iss2\/6\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Notes on the birds of Schirmacher Oasis<\/a>. <em>Marine Ornithology, 52(2).<\/em><\/li>\n<li>Tollenaar, V., <em>et al. <\/em>(2024) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1029\/2023GL106285\" rel=\"noopener\">Where the White Continent Is Blue: Deep Learning Locates Bare Ice in Antarctica<\/a>. <em>Geophysical Research Letters, 51(3), <\/em>e2023GL106285. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-3c9a3ee5-8b1b-412a-97f9-67401226cdc7\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" 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class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" class=\"hds-content-items hds-content-items-grid margin-top-2\" aria-live=\"polite\" data-rest-url=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/smd\/v1\/content-list\">\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/antarctic-sea-ice-saw-its-third-lowest-maximum\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/antarctic-sea-ice-saw-its-third-lowest-maximum\/antarctic_nsidc_20250917_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2025\/antarctic-sea-ice-saw-its-third-lowest-maximum\/antarctic_nsidc_20250917_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/antarctic-sea-ice-saw-its-third-lowest-maximum\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Antarctic Sea Ice Saw Its Third-Lowest Maximum<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    2 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Sea ice around the southernmost continent hit one of its lowest seasonal highs since the start of the satellite record.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/chesapeake-bay-locked-in-ice\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/chesapeake-bay-locked-in-ice\/chesapeake_mss_19770208_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/chesapeake-bay-locked-in-ice\/chesapeake_mss_19770208_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/chesapeake-bay-locked-in-ice\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Chesapeake Bay Locked in Ice<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Nearly 50 years ago, the first Landsat satellite captured the rare sight of Mid-Atlantic waterways frozen over.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/stonebreens-beating-heart\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/stonebreen\u2019s-beating-heart\/stonebreen_hls_2025_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/stonebreen%E2%80%99s-beating-heart\/stonebreen_hls_2025_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/stonebreens-beating-heart\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Stonebreen\u2019s Beating Heart<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">The glacier in southeastern Svalbard pulses with the changing seasons, speeding up and slowing its flow toward the sea.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"4\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" 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32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">NASA&#8217;s Earth Observatory brings you the Earth, every day, with in-depth stories and stunning imagery.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1407\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2500&#038;h=1407&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2500w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=300&#038;h=169&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=768&#038;h=432&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=576&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=864&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, 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https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1126&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Explore Earth Science<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Open access to NASA\u2019s archive of Earth science data<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png 3600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1024,512 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channels made an Antarctic ice shelf known for its blue ice areas even 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