Green Icebergs, icebergs, and much more.

Photograph by Mike Usher, National Science Foundation. It can be found on the U.S. Antarctic Program “Antarctic Photo Library”

For many who stumble onto this site looking for information on icebergs and in particular green icebergs, this page is a compilation of the current information that I have been able to glean and hope that it will be of interest and also helpful to your research.

An early study on green icebergs is: Kipfstuhl, J. et al; “The Origin of Green Icebergs in Antarctica,” Journal of Geophysical Research, 97:20,319,1992.

StumbleUpon has two wonderful images of green icebergs along with some good information and you can find the link here.

“ENDS OF THE EARTH, from Polar Bears to Penguins”: Here is a link to a fabulous polar resource Pdf.

For all those interested in all thing polar, this excellent 55 page Education Guide to the traveling exhibit Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins is a tool for educators and students to explore the many fascinating aspects of the two Polar Regions – the Arctic and the Antarctic. Ends of the Earth explores the key themes of polar geography, polar wildlife and their adaptations, polar exploration, and the impact of climate change on the poles. It is full of information and many links to interesting sites with polar information, maps, images and much much more.

1. The site solcomhouse has a comprehensive coverage on all things to do with icebergs of the Arctic and Antarctic, including pictures and video clips and detailed information, bringing together diverse information from a variety of sources. It is an excellent site.

2. The British Antarctic Survey in 1998 had a scientific survey cruise designated The Albatross and this is a quote from newsletter for week 4.

“One of the unusual sights of the week has been a green iceberg. Most icebergs are white or grey, and some older ones are vivid blue or black. This one however was green. We decided that it was worth a closer look, for scientific purposes of course. According to Mark, it was green because it had chlorophyll growing inside it. As the glaciers flow seawards, they pick up soil and, presumably, plant life, from the rock beneath. Then the iceberg calves, eventually rolls over, and the chlorophyll is exposed to light and begins to grow. We knew the iceberg was something special when even the Chief Engineer and the Captain were getting their cameras out for the first time this trip. The green iceberg was covered with hundreds of penguins, and a small whale was spotted cavorting about in the surf beside the berg.”

3. Another site looks at the Antarctic research of the School of Ocean Sciences of the University of Wales, giving an insight into how scientists carry out research.

4. The Ronne Ice Shelf has been identified as a location that has produced “Green Icebergs”. The current opinion is that circulatory actions under the shelf move minerals up into the lower layer of tech shelf. When the ‘bergs” drift out to sea and deteriorate to the point of flipping upside down, the green lower layer is exposed.

5. Ocean World is another site with excellent information and helpful links that are rated and summarized. There is a section on the colour of icebergs. For students and teachers the site Ocean World is linked here.

6. Another interesting article: “Icebergs are unlikely oases for ocean life” here

7. Antarctic Connection is another comprehensive site on the Antarctic and another excellent source of History, Science, news, general information and a list of current articles on the Antarctic.

8. Images of Antarctica on Tom’s Gallery of Antarctica. This link has some really wonderful pictures of Antarctica, icegbergs and endearing images of penguins and seals. Worth a look!

9.The Australian Antarctic Division has a wonderful website that gives a wealth of information on Antarctica. Check it out especially the Educational Resources section. Here is a link to their ice images.

10. This is a link to the site of Tony Travouillon who has some amazing images of ice formations. The link for the photo gallery is here. Many more great photos, here are just two examples.

I hope that this brief overview of information on icebergs and green icebergs will be of interest and a useful resource for those studying these spectacular natural phenomena, as well as interesting reading for those that want to learn a little more about them and the environments in which they are found. Happy reading.