Much of Glacier Bay is over 1,000 feet deep and does not freeze in the winter due to the tides and wind. It was discovered by Captain George Vancouver in 1794.
The Margerie Glacier shown below is about one mile wide and 250 feet high with a base around 100 feet below sea level. It extends for 21 miles back into the mountain range.
Picture is blue because it was taken thru the ship window. Smaller boat gives better size comparisons.
Nearby is the Grand Pacific Glacier. It is 2 miles wide and is dirty because of the avalanches, rock slides etc causing an accumulation of dirt and rock.
The view around the both of these glaciers while we were idling is magnificent! Very serene. We were not fortunate to witness the calving of an iceberg. Was told it sounds like a gunshot when it cracks.
Glaciers form when the snowfall exceeds the snow melt. Huge icebergs can last up to a week or more and they provide perches for many animals and birds.
No comments:
Post a Comment