| "Towering
crystals that rise into the sky."
Icebergs
have been described as, "towering crystals that rise into the sky." They
are huge,
glistening,
white mountains that seem to float effortless on the ocean. In spring and
early
summer,
Newfoundland's coast is often filled with approximately 400-800 icebergs
mostly
originating
off the coast of Greenland. They move at a rate of 7 km per hour, creeping
or flowing
stealthily
under their own weight. They are bigger than many people realize as only
one eighth
of
the iceberg can be seen, with the rest being submerged beneath the vast
ocean. For this
reason,
it is wise to keep a good distance away from them, as all is not what it
seems,
something
brought to the attention of the world with the infamous Titanic voyage
and following disaster.
The
average iceberg seen around the St. John's area weighs between one and
two hundred
thousand
tonnes and is as tall as a 15 story building. Icebergs also fall over or
"calve" which
produces
an incredible sight and sound sensation. Birds taking flight off an iceberg
is a good
indicator
of an imminent rolling over. So what is there to look for when you are
face to face with
an
iceberg except the magnificent beauty? There is the variety of shapes and
sizes, as well as
colored
streaks, caves, tunnels, waterline notches and even boulders and birds.
The water
inside
icebergs is freshwater which is very pure and has been harvested in Newfoundland
for
bottled
water and vodka. If you want to experience the incredible natural wonder
of icebergs, Newfoundland is one of the best places in North America to
feast your eyes on such a
breathtaking
sight.
View
Some Breath Taking Icebergs Here |