This is one of my favourite
things I saw on this trip (sad I know). When the sun had come
out and was falling on the pieces of ice they started warming
up. You can just about make out some narrow channels in this
ice, imagine fine cotton threads embedded randomly. The threads
were hollow channels and each one ended at the surface in a tiny
little pin-prick hole. The channels were partially filled with
water and partially filled with air (are you with me so far dear
reader?).
As the ice warmed up, so it
seemed that the air in these channels started to expand, as it
did so it hissed out of the pin-prick holes at the surface
except where it was partially water filled when the water hissed
and bubbled out. It was very quiet but when you put your ears
and eyes up close the apparent inert surface was alive with this
movement and gentle hissing. I thought it was cool anyway.
Air temp: +17º C Latitude: 65º 60' N Longitude: 52º 46' W
These are pictures
from a cruise to the High Arctic in August 2010, from Resolute
Bay Canada to Kangerlussuaq in Greenland.
Pictures copyright Paul Ward.
Pentax digital equipment.
2001 Paul Ward |
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