10 March, 2009

Antarctica's Striped Icebergs


Susan at A Southern Dreamer is hosting Outdoor Wednesday. Thank you Susan, this is my favorite memo. I have so many pretty outdoor pictures I want to share. Be sure to check out her site and view the other outdoor posts.






The photographs of the icebergs were taken by Norwegian sailor Oyvind Tangen from aboard a research vessel. The iceberg photographs were snapped in an area several hundred miles north of the Antarctic.





The expedition came across a number of unusual ice formations.







Icebergs in the Antarctic area sometimes have stripes, formed by layers of snow that react to different conditions. Blue stripes are often created when a crevice in the ice sheet fills up with meltwater and freezes so quickly that no bubbles form.





When an iceberg falls into the sea, a layer of salty seawater can freeze to the underside. If this is rich in algae, it can form a green stripe. Brown, black and yellow lines are caused by sediment, picked up when the ice sheet grinds downhill towards the sea.







The "ice wave" photographs are not related to the striped iceberg images and were taken at a different time and place by a different photographer, scientist Tony Travouillon.






While these photos resemble frozen waves, they are actually ice formations created by glaciation, melting and refreezing, and other natural forces, over very long periods of time.








Having the internet means that we get to see something that we never imagined.




25 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said...

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Karen! Oh my...the pictures of the icebergs are amazing! WOW!! Thanks for sharing the photos.

Susan

Gypsy aka Tam said...

Oh WOW!!! What wonderful photographs. I've never seen anything like those icebergs - Mother Nature is the most amazing artist. Have a wonderful Wednesday,
Tam

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

AMAZING!!!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Karen, these are BREATHTAKING! I cannot get over those ice formations, and I can't get over the fact that they are BLUE striped! Just gorgeous and with my favorite color, too!

Thanks for sharing these. Wishing you much love and a Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Pistolmom said...

Incredible!!!
www.freedoms-fight.blogspot.com

Melissa Miller said...

Karen the photos are amazing!

They look so peaceful. ;)

Tealady said...

Hard to believe! Simply amazing photos. Thanks for sharing for Outdoor Wednesday.

All the best, Lana @ Showers of Blessings

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Karen,
Those are wonderful photos, I love the blue stripes and the way they look like frozen waves. Cindy

Kim said...

Just incredible pictures! I must say, "I love the name of your blog!" I'm a big Penn State fan (PA is my home state!)

Kat said...

These pictures are amazing, but I can't imagine how cold it must be! The last iceberg picture looks like a big piece of Christmas ribbon candy floating in the sea. Great post. Kathy

Becky K. said...

They are amazing photos.

Love the beauty that is in creation.

Anonymous said...

These are cool shots! The first one looks like an icicle or something :-)

I encountered a post were flowers grow on unexpected places and thought nature is an excellent gardener. And this? Who knew it's an excellent artist as well (nature):-)

ellen b. said...

Wow! That is amazing...
Happy OW!

Marie said...

Holy mole! Those photos are amazing! Just cannot stop looking at them. Thanks for posting them.
-marie

Danette said...

UNBELEIVABLE BEAUTY!
I especially like the blue parts.
This home body appreciates "traveling" with you!

Anonymous said...

The pictures you shared are amazing and thank you for all the great information too. We saw some icebergs in Alaska but these are really unique. I'll have to show my resident geologist this post when he comes home from work.

Kathy b

♥ Kathy said...

OMG! Those are incredible pictures!! I really love them! Happy OW!

Maryrose said...

How majestic is that. I have never seen anything like it. Happy Outdoor Wednesday and thanks for sharing, Maryrose

Sue said...

These are magnificent pictures, thank you for sharing, I just lingered over them: and you are right the internet has opened up a new world where we do get to see unusual things, I never knew glaciers were anything but solid white. WOW!!
Blessings,
Sue

Decor To Adore said...

These images are AMAZING!

Domestic Designer said...

Wow! You taught me something today. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful! Nature if amazing isn't it! Have a great day!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Those are stunning photos....oh, my, so impressive! Linda

Nancy Rosalina said...

Karen, Those pictures are amazing! I did not know that about the stripes! Very cool!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today! I am glad you enjoyed the sun room!
Blessings, Nancy

Jewel Sauls said...

WOW! I have never seen anything like this! Amazing :D Jewel

Monica said...

*******WOW WOW WOW********
How could I miss this???
GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing!
Monica.