First image from NISAR shows unique glacier crevasses over Antarctic peak

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory released an early‑look radar picture of the Nunatak Jaterrjavisja mountain in East Antarctica. The image, generated from August 2025 L‑band data, displays a network of deep, green‑coloured cracks where the glacier presses against the rugged rock.

According to signal‑analysis engineer Seongsoo Ji‑young, the green lines represent scattered microwave returns from rough ice surfaces, while the magenta tones indicate smooth, specular reflections. Where both signals overlap the radar renders a white colour, signalling mixed terrain.

These fine details, invisible to conventional optical cameras, allow scientists to assess glacier flow rates, estimate ice thickness and predict how the ice sheet may contribute to sea‑level rise.