Icebergs in Newfoundland
Majestic icebergs hold our interest and intrigue us with their magic. Their elegant beauty and pure existence touch something in the human spirit. They cause us to examine facts, truths, and experiences which we recognize as reality. Yet they have not been part of our reality. Icebergs enthral us because they are outside our realm of experience.
Their pure white (and even - cool aquamarine) splendor enchant us. The iceberg's existence over 15,000 years gives us cause to wonder about life at the time of their origin. The magnificence of their size – at least eight times bigger underwater – overwhelms us and dwarfs our perception of 'large' (as we know it). Their connection to events in history, such as tragic shipwrecks, including the loss of the Titanic, saddens us and stirs our emotions.
Statistics show that since 1810 to present, there have been 560 collisions between icebergs (including the smaller 'growlers' and 'bergy bits') and vessels. This data is concentrated on the North Atlantic but also includes a few incidents around Greenland and in the fiords of Alaska.
How They Arrive
Newfoundland and Labrador icebergs originate from 20 major glaciers in Greenland – except for 5% of the icebergs that come probably from northern Ellesmere Island. It takes at least two years (much longer if they become grounded) for icebergs to travel from Greenland to Newfoundland and Labrador. The icebergs, however, have been around for much longer than a couple of years. Probably 10,000-15,000 years!
Over time, compacted snow in Greenland formed huge glaciers that extended from the mountains to the sea. Due to gravity and spring melts, the glaciers reach the coast but that trek can take a long time. As they are hanging over the cliffs during spring, thousands of pieces (varying sizes) of ice break off and fall into the ocean. This stage is called 'calving' and it is the beginning of the iceberg's journey.
During the remainder of that spring, as well as the summer, the icebergs travel north in the current towards Baffin Bay. The following winter, they freeze in the pack ice (sea ice) that forms in the North. When spring releases them, the icebergs move south with the Labrador Current, along the east coast of Baffin Island, and towards the Davis Straits.
Once again, the icebergs spend a winter trapped in ice. During this second winter, the icebergs are trapped in the pack ice in northern Labrador. When spring arrives, the icebergs are released and head south through Iceberg Alley (the path followed by icebergs from Baffin Island down to the east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador). Despite their incredible size, icebergs can move at an average of 17 kilometers (about 10 miles) a day. In recent years, with Newfoundland's offshore development, icebergs are often detected (and even towed) as oil platforms operate in the path of the icebergs.
Every year, about 1000 icebergs make their way to the bays and coves of this province. Some icebergs melt in these sheltered places and others make their way along the southern coast of Newfoundland and past St. John's. When the Labrador Current meets the Gulf Stream, however, an iceberg's days are drawing to a close. Even though the ice may have survived for thousands of years, it can melt within two months in Newfoundland waters.
Changing Shape
Even though it may not be obvious to the naked eye, icebergs are changing continuously because of the sun's heat (although they have an interior temperature of 15-20° C), ocean currents, and wind. This constant change makes it dangerous to be too close to an iceberg. A massive iceberg can 'founder' (break apart) at a moment's notice. Thousands of tons of ice can roll over in an instant without any warning except for the sound of a split. That signal will come too late for anybody who is too near the foundering iceberg.
Iceberg Shapes
- Pinnacle
An iceberg with one or more central spires
- Dome
An iceberg with a rounded top
- Tabular
A flat-topped iceberg – usually with horizontal banding
- Wedged
An iceberg - flat on top - but with steep vertical sides on one end - and sloping on the other
- Blocky
A flat-topped iceberg with steep, vertical sides
- Drydocked
An iceberg that erodes resulting in a U-shaped slot
The Color of Ice
- White Icebergs
Usually, icebergs appear white because of light reflection. The more air is trapped in an iceberg, the whiter the iceberg. Thousands of years ago, as snow fell in Greenland, the air bubbles were trapped between each snowflake.
- Blue Icebergs
Although most icebergs are snowy white, icebergs with blue streaks or a bluish cast are not a rarity. Some icebergs seem to be even more of an aquamarine shade than a brilliant white. When melt water in Greenland ran into cracks and crevices of the glaciers and froze again, blue streaks were formed in the ice. The lack of numerous air bubbles creates the blue color. If sand or silt gets trapped in the crevices, the iceberg will have black or brown streaks.
The Business of Icebergs
Thousands of tourists travel annually to Newfoundland and Labrador to view these magnificent towers of ice. Everyone is attracted by their spectacular beauty. Even fans of the Titanic movie visit the province for that 'iceberg' experience. As well, island entrepreneurs have taken icebergs to a whole new level.
Some entrepreneurs are venturing close to icebergs (but not too close) to harvest pieces of ice for iceberg water, iceberg beer, iceberg wine, and iceberg vodka. Often 'bergy bits' can be picked up from Newfoundland's pebbled beaches. When a 'bergy bit' melts in a glass, it makes a fizzing sound known as "bergy seltzer." The sound is created from the popping of compressed and trapped air bubbles.
Auk Island Winery combines iceberg water and local berries to create a unique wine. Iceberg water has even made its way into specialty skin care products. Iceberg water is the purest water on earth and the liquid was frozen at a time before industrial pollution. Newfoundland and Labrador icebergs are one of the best examples of 'pure, fresh, and beautiful' in the world.
The pinnacle (or dome, tabular, wedged, blocky, drydocked) icebergs continue to fascinate us. Icebergs do not put on a show anywhere in the world like they do in Newfoundland and Labrador. Visitors can view them from land, on boat tours, or get an aerial view of their magnificence. The icebergs pass by our shores, our trails, and even right in front of our kitchen windows. You don't want to miss the show!
Where to See Icebergs
- Northern Newfoundland
St. Anthony
Northern Newfoundland is a perfect place to spot icebergs. In fact, from June 11-June 20, 2010, northern Newfoundland celebrated with an Iceberg Festival. The event had iceberg experts in attendance and the activities celebrated icebergs and local music and culture. Tourists who travel the Viking Trail will probably spot icebergs at least once (or even more often) during their travels. St. Anthony is a popular stop for iceberg watchers.
- Central Newfoundland
Leamington
Boat tours leave from Leamington in Central Newfoundland to bring tourists out to see icebergs.
- Kittiwake Coast
Twillingate
Located on the edge of Iceberg Alley, Twillingate is known as the 'Iceberg Capital of the World." On July 1, 2009, a 1200 foot long iceberg floated within sight of Twillingate. Visitors to this charming town can meet the 'Iceberg Man' who has photographed thousands of icebergs. As well, they can drop into the 'Iceberg Craft Shop' with its huge 'iceberg' mural on the side of the building.
This site is much more than a crafts shop – although tourists can choose from iceberg souvenirs and mementos such as framed pictures of icebergs. The 'Iceberg Craft Shop' is a 160-year old building - the original barn of the family of Georgina Stirling - Twillingate's world-famous opera singer. In 1958, the building was towed across Twillingate Harbour to its present site.
- Eastern Newfoundland
Terra Nova National Park, Canada's most easterly national park, is a Canadian treasure. Various boat tours leave this park to search out icebergs.
Avalon Peninsula
Bay Bulls
Bay Bulls is just a short drive (less than 30 minutes) south from St. John's. This Southern Shore community and its neighbor, Witless Bay, are popular places to look for icebergs. Within a few minutes, tourists can be outside the city, and in the midst of rural Newfoundland, and enjoying icebergs, whales, and sea birds. The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is home to North America's largest Atlantic puffin colony.
Iceberg Information
- International Ice Patrol
The Titanic disaster was just one of numerous disasters at sea caused by icebergs. On that fateful day in 1912, the distress signal from the Titanic was heard at Cape Race on the Southern Shore. Newspaper reports at the time suggested that the iceberg that sank the Titanic was 50-100 feet high and 200-400 feet in length. After the loss of the Titanic, the United States Coast Guard started the International Ice Patrol which continues today. The daily updates of the southern limits of icebergs (as well as a map) started on March 1, 2001.
- Iceberg Finder
IcebergFinder.com is the place to find information about viewing icebergs in Newfoundland and Labrador. A map shows icebergs that have been detected around Newfoundland and Labrador within the last 5 days. Individuals can also use the 'iceberg finder' via NewfoundlandLabrador.com.
Frequently Asked Questions - Icebergs
Database of Ship Collisions with Icebergs
Excerpt from 'Icebergs of Newfoundland and Labrador by Stephen E. Bruneau
