Thursday, November 12, 2009

Ice Art


AP Photo/Australian Antarctic Division, Murray Potter

Looking more like a work of earth art or a cross between a Lynn Davis and a Sugimoto than a natural phenomenon, this large iceberg was recently spotted about halfway between Antarctica and Australia, a rare sight in waters so far north.

Australian Antarctic Division researchers working on Macquarie Island, about 930 miles southeast of Tasmania, first saw the iceberg last Thursday about 5 miles off the northwest coast of the island. The iceberg, about 160 feet high and 1,640 feet long, is probably part of one of several larger icebergs that broke off Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf between 2000 and 2002.

Scientists believe the iceberg will break up and melt rapidly as it continues its journey north. So get moving if you're interested in this particular photo-op!


The iceberg as seen from Macquarie Island.

4 comments:

Jennifer said...

Incredible! It looks so surreal.

Anonymous said...

Facebook won't let me share any form of a link to your blog or this entry.

Says that "Some content in this message has been reported as abusive by Facebook users."

Maybe it's a glitch specific to my account, but maybe its something you'd be interested in.

william perkins said...

wow. it may be one of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen. it has it all. it is imedeately arresting, even kind of scary and unsettling just because it is square and so opposite our expectations of an iceber. it is absolutely formally beautiful in line and color and its is filled with loss and tragedy as you know that that ancient water melting spells doom yet it remains absolutely serene and peaceful. i can't stop staring at it.

Maria Coryell-Martin said...

Amazing- I wish I could see it! I have a penchant for ice.