Here are interesting things you may not know about this iceberg.
Between late April and early June, locals and visitors get to watch a colossal iceberg, called Iceberg Alley, slowly drift by while standing on the rocky coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Iceberg Alley refers to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean that run along the coast of this province. Here are some interesting facts about this amazing place.
Hundreds of icebergs move past Iceberg Alley annually
There are between 400 to 800 icebergs that make their way past Iceberg Alley annually. They come in various shapes and sizes, from colossal structures to tiny chunks. One giant iceberg measured 150 feet tall in 2017. It dwarfed all the homes near the Newfoundland village of Ferryland.
Icebergs break off of glaciers in Greenland and the travel south
The melting of ancient glaciers in the North Atlantic Ocean means springtime has arrived. Frozen water breaks off from the ice shelves and glaciers of Greenland when the weather starts to get warm. When that occurs, they start to journey south along Iceberg Alley which can last for months until they melt into the sea. These icebergs travel up to 10 miles a day. However, many contributing factors dictate their speed, like currents, wind, and waves.
The Titanic sank in the waters of Iceberg Alley
Only a small portion of an iceberg can be seen above water. One of history's most famous maritime disasters occurred in the waters of Iceberg Alley. Titanic collided with an undetected berg in that area in 1912. 14 countries, including Canada and the United States, formed the International Ice Patrol due to the disaster to warn vessels of large obstacles that might be floating around the North Atlantic.
Underwater ecosystems are created in Iceberg Alley due to the icebergs
There are vibrant ecosystems that help feed whales, seals, and other marine life in the waters of Iceberg Alley. Icebergs break off from the bottom of a glacier. When that happens, they bring soil and other nutrients with them into the sea. Large icebergs that scrape the bottom of the ocean also release rich nutrients that have been trapped on the seafloor.
Icebergs along Iceberg Alley can be tracked
People interesting in chasing icebergs can track them. A tracker allows you to locate and trace the movements of the icebergs so you have a better chance of viewing them in the area.
