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Iceberg and Kayaker

Icebergs are nothing more than solid water. They float because the density of the ice is less than the density of sea water. Icebergs come in all shapes and sizes, they have been compared to mountains, pyramids and castles.

Many icebergs are moulded into unusual and fascinating shapes by the action of the wind and waves. The process of melting causes an iceberg to change shape, too.

Icebergs are formed both in the Arctic and the Antarctic oceans. Arctic icebergs come mainly from Greenland, a huge island which is almost completely covered by an ice sheet.

It is estimated that the Greenland ice cap produces from 10,000 to 30,000 icebergs each year. Up to several thousand can reach Newfoundland waters, starting in the north at Quirpon Island. The rest are lost by diversion into straits or bays, by being grounded in many fjords along Baffin Island and by deterioration.

The course of an iceberg cannot be judged by wind direction alone. Since nine-tenths of an iceberg's mass lies under water, much more of a bergs surface is affected by water currents than by wind. The final direction is one that takes both the wind and currents into account. A berg can move against or across the wind, as well as downward or at small angles to it.

Facts and Figures

The frozen water that makes an iceberg is fresh water.
The drift of icebergs from Greenland to Newfoundland is about 1,600 nautical miles and takes an average of two to three years.
Arctic icebergs have reached as far south as the island of Bermuda, a journey of 2,500 miles. An Antarctic iceberg has reached almost as far north as Rio de Janeiro a journey of 3,440 miles.
The temperature inside an iceberg is around -15 C. At the surface the temperature is about O C.
The ice that makes up an iceberg is believed to be at least 12,000 years old.
The biggest iceberg ever recorded was 208 miles long and 60 miles wide, a total of 12,000 square miles - larger than Belgium. The tallest iceberg ever recorded was 550 feet, just over half the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The International Ice Patrol, which tracks the movement of icebergs, was formed as a result of the Titanic sinking in 1912.

Types and Sizes

Types and size comparisons of icebergs:

A large, tabular iceberg, 100-200 metres long, is as big as a oil rig.
A medium iceberg, 50-100 metres long, is as big as an ocean -going ship.
A small iceberg, 15- 50 metres long, is as big as a long liner.
A bergy bit, 5-15 metres long, is as big as a single family house.
A growler, less than 5 metres long, is as big as a standard grand piano.

Where to Search

The further north you go, the more likely you are to find bergs, especially after mid July.

As the bergs drift south in the Labrador Current they enter "Iceberg Alley" which extends along the coast of Newfoundland. Any of the bays and coves along the north coast of the island can be harbouring these ice giants but, as the summer progresses, those in the southern waters melt more rapidly.

While May and June are considered the best months for iceberg viewing, in the north the colder waters and more plentiful bergs mean that impressive structures can exist into September (we once counted 11 from our helipad on Sept. 7th).






			What is an Iceberg? History in crystals Icebergs are nothing more than solid water. They float because the density of the ice is less than the density of sea water. Icebergs come in all shapes and sizes, they have been compared to mountains, pyramids and castles. Many icebergs are moulded into unusual and fascinating shapes by the action of the wind and waves. The process of melting causes an iceberg to change shape, too. Icebergs are formed both in the Arctic and the Antarctic oceans. Arctic icebergs come mainly from Greenland, a huge island which is almost completely covered by an ice sheet. It is estimated that the Greenland ice cap produces from 10,000 to 30,000 icebergs each year. Up to several thousand can reach Newfoundland waters, starting in the north at Quirpon Island. The rest are lost by diversion into straits or bays, by being grounded in many fjords along Baffin Island and by deterioration. The course of an iceberg cannot be judged by wind direction alone. Since nine-tenths of an iceberg's mass lies under water, much more of a bergs surface is affected by water currents than by wind. The final direction is one that takes both the wind and currents into account. A berg can move against or across the wind, as well as downward or at small angles to it. Facts and Figures The frozen water that makes an iceberg is fresh water. The drift of icebergs from Greenland to Newfoundland is about 1,600 nautical miles and takes an average of two to three years. Arctic icebergs have reached as far south as the island of Bermuda, a journey of 2,500 miles. An Antarctic iceberg has reached almost as far north as Rio de Janeiro a journey of 3,440 miles. The temperature inside an iceberg is around -15 C. At the surface the temperature is about O C. The ice that makes up an iceberg is believed to be at least 12,000 years old. The biggest iceberg ever recorded was 208 miles long and 60 miles wide, a total of 12,000 square miles - larger than Belgium. The tallest iceberg ever recorded was 550 feet, just over half the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The International Ice Patrol, which tracks the movement of icebergs, was formed as a result of the Titanic sinking in 1912. Types and Sizes Types and size comparisons of icebergs: A large, tabular iceberg, 100-200 metres long, is as big as a oil rig. A medium iceberg, 50-100 metres long, is as big as an ocean -going ship. A small iceberg, 15- 50 metres long, is as big as a long liner. A bergy bit, 5-15 metres long, is as big as a single family house. A growler, less than 5 metres long, is as big as a standard grand piano. Where to Search The further north you go, the more likely you are to find bergs, especially after mid July. As the bergs drift south in the Labrador Current they enter "Iceberg Alley" which extends along the coast of Newfoundland. Any of the bays and coves along the north coast of the island can be harbouring these ice giants but, as the summer progresses, those in the southern waters melt more rapidly. While May and June are considered the best months for iceberg viewing, in the north the colder waters and more plentiful bergs mean that impressive structures can exist into September (we once counted 11 from our helipad on Sept. 7th).