Archive for the “Antarctica” Category

 Frozen waves 1

Some people claim that these are pictures of water that instantly froze when it came in contact with the air. Well, I know it’s cold in Antartica but the day a tidal wave or a tsunami wave will instantly freeze while breaking has not come yet. You can rest assured Armageddon is not for tomorrow.

These photos are nonetheless fantastic. You’ll notice that there is blue ice, which is created as the ice is compressed and trapped air bubbles are squeezed out. The ice looks blue because, when light passes through thick ice, blue light is transmitted back out but red light is absorbed. I didn’t figure that out by myself of course, but I did some research. Now enjoy the pictures and thank the mighty internet for providing more info about those so-called “frozen waves”!

Read the rest of this entry »

Comments 4 Comments »

Glacier -Bleeds 6

Gushing from a glacier, rust-stained Blood Falls contains evidence that microbes have
survived in prehistoric seawater deep under ice for perhaps millions of years, a new study says.
The colony of microscopic life-forms may have been trapped when Antarctica’s then advancing
Taylor Glacier reached into the ocean 1.5 to 4 million years ago.

What’s more, the tiny organisms’ feeding habits apparently give the falls their shocking color.

Blood Falls, Scientists Jump

For decades researchers have been intrigued by Blood Falls, which incongruously spills from one of
the driest parts of Antarctica, the aptly named Dry Valleys.
“The Dry Valleys are all brown,” said study leader Jill Mikucki of Dartmouth College.
“You might see some white ice and blue skies—and then here’s this bright red waterfall.
It invokes a lot of curiosity.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Comments 3 Comments »

Read the rest of this entry »

Comments No Comments »