Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Massive Glacier Calving at Aoraki

Media release from Glacier Explorers
31 January 2012

Massive Glacier Calving at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Guests aboard Glacier Explorers boats today (January 31) witnessed the result of a spectacular glacier calving at Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake that occurred around daybreak today – believed to be the largest since the Block and Basal* calving triggered by last February’s Christchurch earthquake.


In perspective – a Glacier Explorers boat near the calving site
Photographer – Denis Callesen.

Long term glacier observer and General Manager Tourism for Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Village Ltd, Denis Callesen said he believed today’s calving would again have moved around 30 million tonnes of ice – around the same amount as last February.

“It was an absolutely magnificent event. A huge chunk of ice has literally broken away from the terminal face, and then fractured into dozens of icebergs This is the first time that a calving has occurred across the whole 650m-wide terminal face,” said Mr Callesen.

“It’s an amazing and enormous natural phenomenon.”

The calving means Glacier Explorer guests are assured superb viewing conditions on Lake Tasman and an extraordinary view of nature in action for at least the rest of this season.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

Photographers have only several hours to capture images of the crystal-clear ‘blue ice’ on the base of an iceberg, hidden beneath the surface for more than 300 years, before it oxidizes on exposure to air and turns white.

Visitors will see blue ice every day for several months, as from the dozens of new icebergs, one or two will roll over every day as they maintain their equilibrium of 10% above and 90% below the water surface.

For more information visit: www.glacierexplorers.com

ENDS

*Basal iceberg or 'growler' means the action has come from below the water surface, while Block has come from above water level.


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.