Floating crystal castle

TAMARAPU SAMPATH KUMARAN

Icebergs float because the density of ice is lower than that of seawater. Usually the iceberg is almost
hidden below the waterline. This is the basis of the expression "tip of the iceberg".

With a sail-like pinnacle the glacier moves at 24 nautical miles a day.

Icebergs are blocks of fresh-water ice that break off from glaciers and float out to sea.
Glaciers are formed in the polar regions where snowfall lasts for centuries without
entirely melting and as a result is eventually compressed into ice. Successive layers
compress accumulations to depths below 60 to 70 metres. Glaciers flow outward under
their own weight, like a viscous fluid. Compressed snow becomes "firn," a granular snow,
transformed eventually by pressure into a dense ice. When the edge of a glacier advances
into the ocean the pieces that break off are called icebergs. The glacial ice that icebergs
are made of, are estimated to be more than 15,000 years. Most icebergs in the North
Atlantic region originate from the tidewater glaciers of Western Greenland.

The first reference to an iceberg was made by St. Brendan, an Irish monk, in his fictional
writings, that he encountered a "floating crystal castle" on the high seas. It is estimated
that around 40,000 medium to large sized icebergs, the monolithic drifting ice, calve in
Greenland annually. Antarctic icebergs are characterised by their tremendous size,
enormous dimensions and tubular shape, whereas many icebergs of the Arctic region are
only about 45 meters tall and 180 metres long.

The surface wind, waves and ocean wind current have a dominant influence on their
movement. Depending on the currents, wind and waves, icebergs drift at around one
km/h and many a case take quite an irregular path. With a sail like pinnacle around the
central mass are very much influenced by wind and move at a greater speed of 24
nautical miles a day.

Some icebergs may travel several thousand kilometres before they completely deteriorate.
They are mostly white in colour because they are formed of fresh water ice. Besides the
tiny air bubbles that are formed inside reflect white light giving icebergs a white
appearance. Occasionally airborne dust and the dirt eroded from the soil result in the
glacier surface eventually forming a noticeably darkened brown or black layer within the
ice of the floating iceberg.
The largest North Hemisphere iceberg was recorded near Baffin Island in 1882,
measuring 13 km long and six km wide with a free board of about 20 metres above water.
Thunderous sounds of Icebergs calving and rolling can be heard from a good distance,
and at that time huge disturbance is created in the water which can pose a threat to
vessels sailing in the vicinity. All icebergs pose danger to ships.