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octane2 — Frozen Glacial Architecture
Published: 2010-05-27 14:00:48 +0000 UTC; Views: 2505; Favourites: 114; Downloads: 82
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Glimpses of Frozen Glacial ArchitectureWhilst descending Franz Josef Glacier, I happened upon this pretty glacial formation which was hidden between two peaks. Whilst intrigued by nature's architecture, a momentary lapse in the thick cloud let sunlight shine through thin lower cloud and illuminate the blue and white peaks.
Franz Josef is 12 km long and terminates 19 km from the Tasman Sea. It is found in Westland National Park on the South Island of New Zealand.
Unlike a lot of glaciers worldwide, Franz Josef has actually entered an advancement phase and at times can advance about 70 cm a day.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
1/60s f/8.0 at 50.0mm iso100
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Comments: 13
This looks like a rough slab of Hemimorphite. Beautiful!
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Around how big would this stretch of glacier be that you've captured? I'm having a hard time figuring it out.
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lol, i like the idea that a glacier in NZ is named after a german Oo
good capture
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Phil,
Haha, it's even more convoluted than that -- the glacier was "discovered" by the German explorer Julian von Haast, and named Franz Josef after the Austrian emperor!
Thanks!
Regards,
H
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damn! you're right, he was an austrian, epic fail on my side!
however a short visit on wikipedia brought some clearness
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Oh, wow. It doesn't even look real. As in... it's too beautiful to be natural.
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anthonydraco,
Thank you, mate! It was quite an experience climbing on it.
I even drank the water -- it was the freshest and sweetest tasting water. Dinosaur pee. om nom nom.
Regards,
H
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That's interesting about the advancement phase...
I think 70 per day is quite a lot, isn't it!
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azimos,
70 cm per day does sound like a lot, I agree. However, when you take into account the sheer size of the glacier (12 km) it doesn't seem like much at all. Also, you have to realise that this glacier has retreated several kilometres in the last 150 years. There's several signs placed throughout Westland National Park which say "In 19xx the glacier was here."
The record, I believe, is held by a glacier in Pakistan which can advance and/or retreat up to 1 metre a day.
Fascinating stuff.
Thanks for looking and commenting -- appreciate it.
Regards,
H
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Tritonorsy,
It's a bit of an abstract photograph when compared to the rest of my gallery, but, I thought I'd share it.
Thank you.
Regards,
H
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Well, It's a very beautiful picture
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