Svalbard, Norway

The Nordenskild glacier is calving. As you can see in the landscape photograph, the ice breaks off and falls into the ocean. That calving of the glacier generates a large high water splash.

copyright Anette Mossbacher, 15 July, 2023

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This photograph was captured with a Canon EOS-1D X and a lens. The following settings were used:

  • Aperture: ƒ/11
  • Exposure time: 1/200s
  • ISO: 400
  • Focal Length: 292mm

The original photograph has the following dimensions: 5090 by 3404 pixels (WxH).

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The glacier ‘Calving’ means when the ice breaks off a glacier. As you can see in the photograph, the breakaway ice drops into the ocean. That calving of the glacier generates a robust and loud sound, which is like the thunder sound. Undoubtedly the water splashes high from the impact into the water.

Also, the bigger the ice piece which breaks off, the bigger the wave/tsunami will follow. In the foreground of the photograph are large boulders reaching out of the water. The jagged edges, crevices, and unique shapes create much texture to the composition.

Glacier calving happens due to a rift that opens at the edge of a glacier. Undoubtedly, wind, water erosion, melting ice, and other things cause a glacier to become volatile. These massive ice losses are increasing due to glacier acceleration and retreat, mainly in response to increased heat flux from the oceans. The calving rates often change annually, with calving slowing or shutting down entirely over the winter.

Interestingly, the famous Greenland ice sheet flows slowly into the ocean through a series of glaciers. One of the most famous of these is the Jakobshavn Isbrae. It is the world’s fastest flowing glacier, which we think was calving the iceberg that sunk the Titanic.

Please enjoy more of our other landscape photographs for more icebergs, and sunsets. Expect the unexpected, also Polar bears stand in front of glaciers. Our nature photographs are for sale of photo licenses and photographic prints.

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1 comment for Glacier Calving Nordenskiold Svalbard

  1. Clare

    Wow!! What an impressive and powerful moment you’ve perfectly captured!!

    • Anette Mossbacher

      If a photo would play also sound, you would hear a loud sound like thunder. Of course, also the splashing of the water. Thank you, Clare.

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