Perito Moreno Glacier
The glacier was one of the highlights of the trip so far. There has been a lot of those so you can just imagine how spectacular the glacier is!
The glacier is 4 km in width and 14km in depth! On average it is 60 metres high above water level and 180 metres below. It is one of the only glaciers in Patagonia, which is not retreating. It moves nearly 2 metres a day but this is impossible to see as it loses mass at the same time. We stood and watched as huge blocks of ice fell from the glacier. The sound was incredible. We then took a boat trip to get closer. Why is the glacier blue? Read the following as I am sure you will notice it is not my words!
"White light travels on a long wavelength, blue on a short wavelength. Air bubbles in ice or snow absorb white light, thus appearing white, but the weight of this glacier, however, squeezes all the air out of lower levels, so white light cannot enter, only short wavelength blue. The more compact the ice, the bluer it gets; the cloudier the day the bluer too"
The boat on the right of the picture indicates the scale of the glacier
Huge chunks of ice fall from the glacier regularly.
posted by Rebecca at 12:33 am
3 Comments:
It must have been great being reunited with your friends from the truck and finding out what they have been up to. The glacier looks really good, it would be a shame if global warming melts it. It's great to see how yours and Stephens parents are so supportive. They must be missing you both alot.
Matt
12:30 pm
Hello Rebecca and Stephen!
Finally figured out how to do this I think! It was so lovely to see you in El Calafate, but sad to see you go again...I miss you lots! Love your photos, especially the penguin ones. The Beagle channel and Gable End trip looks as good as it sounded, don't think I'll get the time to do it though. We're in Ushuaia at the moment, It's a great place isn't it! Hopefully going to the post office tomorrow! Take care, lots of love xxx
6:51 pm
Pondy!
Just tired to book for a job and found out that you had buggered off to South America. Good for you, looks amazing. Fabulous pics and you both look like you are having fun.
Emily (off Compton Verney and NTI)
1:50 pm
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