It is hanging on by a thread of just three miles of ice, and it seems that when the Larsen C iceberg finally breaks off, it won't be alone.

Using ESA satellites, researchers have spotted multiple rifts within three miles of the ice edge.

Experts predict that these rifts will lead to the formation of several smaller icebergs, as well as the large iceberg which is estimated to have a huge area of 2,239 sq miles (5,800 sq km) – roughly the same size as Delaware.

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It is hanging on by a thread of just three miles of ice, and it seems that when the Larsen C iceberg finally breaks off, it won't be alone. Using ESA satellites, researchers have spotted multiple first within five kilometres of the ice edge

The Larsen C ice shelf is moving ever closer to calving one of the largest icebergs on record, with satellite images taken last week revealing that a chunk of ice is hanging on 'by a thread.'

And the latest data from July 6 reveals that, in a release of built-up stresses, the rift has branched several times.

In a blog, a spokesperson for the MIDAS Project, which is monitoring the ice shelf, said: 'Using data from ESA's Sentinel-1 satellites, we can see that there are multiple rift tips now within 5 km of the ice edge.

THE LARSEN C ICE SHELF CRACK The crack in the Larsen C ice shelf is growing larger. Now, the crack is around 200 kilometres (125 miles) long, with the future iceberg hanging onto the shelf by just five kilometers of ice. According to the European Space Agency, when the crack eventually gives way, one of the largest icebergs on record will be set adrift When the iceberg breaks off, the Larsen C ice shelf will lose more than 10 percent of its total area and the iceberg will be: 6,600 square kilometres in total (2,550 square miles)

190 metres (623 feet) thick, or 57 storeys

210 metres (almost 700 feet), or about 60 storeys below sea level A massive chunk of an Antarctic ice shelf is said to be hanging on by a thread, and now scientists say the detachment of an iceberg the size of Delaware is imminent. The increase in ice surface speed can be seen in the image above Source: European Space Agency Advertisement

'We expect that these rifts will lead to the formation of several smaller icebergs, as well as the large iceberg which we estimate will have an area of 5,800 sq km.

'Despite this, the iceberg remains attached to the shelf by a thin band of ice. It is remarkable how the moment of calving is still keeping us waiting.'

When the Larsen C Ice Shelf finally calves, it will lose more than 10 per cent of its area, leaving the ice front at its most retreated position ever recorded.

A map of surface speed based on satellite date from late June 2017 shows that Larsen C is moving closer to calving one of the largest icebergs on record

Icebergs calve from Antarctica all the time, but because this one is particularly large its path across the ocean needs to be monitored as it could pose a hazard to maritime traffic.

The massive ice cube will float in water and by itself will not add to sea levels when it melts.

The real danger is from inland glaciers.

An animation shows significant stages in the propagation of the rift, culminating in the July 2017 multiple branching

Ice shelves float on the sea, extending from the coast, and are fed by slow-flowing glaciers from the land.

They act as giant brakes, preventing glaciers from flowing directly into the ocean.

If the glaciers held in check by Larsen C spilt into the Antarctic Ocean, it would lift the global water mark by about 10 centimetres (four inches), researchers have said.

The rift in the Larsen C Ice Shelf grew suddenly by around 18 kilometres (11 miles) in December 2016, leaving a vast iceberg more than 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 square miles) 'hanging by a thread.' Pictured is a NASA image of the rift in November 2016

The calving of ice shelves occurs naturally, though global warming is believed to have accelerated the process.

Warming ocean water erodes the underbelly of the ice shelves, while rising air temperatures weaken them from above.

Icebergs calve from Antarctica all the time, but because this one is large, ESA says its path across the ocean needs to be monitored as it could pose a hazard to maritime traffic.

ESA is keeping an eye on Larsen C with its Copernicus and CryoSat Earth orbiters. Pictured is ESA's Earth Explorer CryoSat satellite, dedicated to precise monitoring of changes in the thickness of marine ice floating in the polar oceans

Dr Anna Hogg, an ESA Living Planet Fellow and researcher at the University of Leeds said: 'As for this new Larsen C berg, we are not sure what will happen. 'It could, in fact, even calve in pieces or break up shortly after.

'Whole or in pieces, ocean currents could drag it north, even as far as the Falkland Islands.

'If so it could pose a hazard for ships in Drake Passage.'