EARTH CHANGES: Satellite Captures Massive Storm Swirling Off Antarctica - Extends THOUSANDS Of Miles From Its Center; Cloud Tail Stretches Nearly 3,500 MILES!

March 07, 2014 - ANTARCTICA - A European satellite that flew over Antarctica on Wednesday captured a massive storm churning in the ocean off its northern coast.

Satellite image of a storm off the north coast of Antarctica, seen on March 5, 2014.
Image: Simon Proud/EUMETSAT

The satellite — known as EUMETSAT, which monitors weather and climate from space — was conducting an overflight when it caught the late summer storm with swirling clouds extending thousands of miles from its center. 

According to Simon Proud, a postdoctoral associate at MIT's atmospheric, oceanic and climate sciences program, the cloud tail stretches nearly 3,500 miles.

A EUMETSAT satellite showing a late summer storm swirling along the northern coast of
Antarctica on March 5, 2014. Image: Simon Proud/EUMETSAT

Of course, big storms and harsh weather are not unusual for Antarctica, one of the most treacherous and isolated places on Earth.

Earlier this year, a Russian research vessel that was trapped in the ice off East Antarctica for 10 days led to a international effort to rescue the 52 people onboard.