Sea ice begins to melt and break away from Oates Coast in the
upper-half of this MODIS true-color image acquired from data
collected on October 13, 2001. As springtime progresses, and
temperatures rise above freezing, the coastline of Antarctica
becomes a visible reality. Also visible in the image, just to
the right of center, under heavy snow are the Usurp Mountains
running north and south. To the right of the Usurps is another
mountain range, the Bowers Mountains. The Bowers Mountains are
the more defined, angular formations closer to the coastline. In
between the two ranges is a sleek, gray sheet, which marks the
Rennick Glacier.