Cool Iceberg Picture

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
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that they have scientists assigned to these things (let alone name them) is equally amazing.
 

UlricT

Golden Member
Jul 21, 2002
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The image also reveals that the B-15A iceberg has drifted away from the Drygalski Ice Tongue. The massive iceberg had been on course to strike the ice tongue in what could have been a collision of giants. The Drygalski Ice Tongue is a floating extension of a land-based glacier. Such ice tongues have been known to break under smaller strains, and according to NASA scientist Robert Bindschadler, the Drygalski Ice Tongue has never experienced a blow of the magnitude that B-15A could deliver. The iceberg had been moving steadily towards the ice tongue, but its movement slowed in late December. Just as the gap between the two narrowed to less than 4 kilometers, the iceberg rotated slightly and may have become grounded. By January 13, the gap had widened as the iceberg appeared to reverse its course, perhaps in response to being grounded, says Bindschadler.

* COLLISION AVERTED *
 

Mayfriday0529

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2003
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The collision is also good for the penguins.

Iceberg collision could be good news for penguins

A 150-kilometre-long iceberg is due to collide with the end of an Antarctic glacier later today.

Scientists believe the collision could be good news for wildlife.

The collision has been coming for five years, ever since a massive iceberg called B15 broke away from the Ross Ice Shelf on the edge of Antarctica.

A fragment of that giant iceberg, itself covering an area of 3,000 square kilometres has been closing in on the floating end of a glacier called the Drygalski Ice Tongue at a speed of around 1.5 kilometres a day.

Scientists are not entirely sure what will happen when B15-A, as the iceberg is called, makes contact.

If the iceberg or the ice tongue fracture, that could be good news for penguins in the area.

B15-A has trapped sea ice along the coast preventing it floating away as it usually does during the Antarctic summer, so adult penguins have had to travel much further than usual to find food for their chicks.