An east Antarctica ice shelf disintegrated this month following a period of extreme heat in the region, according to scientists.

Satellite images show the 1,200 square-kilometer Conger Ice Shelf collapsed completely on or around March 15.

"Possible it hit its tipping point following the #Antarctic #AtmosphericRiver and heat wave too?" asked NASA Earth and Planetary Scientist Catherine Colello Walker on Twitter on Friday, sharing images of a white expanse crumbling into shards over the dark ocean.