Extreme Ice Survey :: Learn More About Glaciers and Climate Change: IL-05

IL-05, SÓLHEIMAJÖKULL, ICELAND

Time Period: March 26, 2007–February 24, 2009
Narration by: James Balog & Dr. Tad Pfeffer

IL-05 Solheimajokull Narrated from Extreme Ice Survey on Vimeo.

2Cam IL-05 Solheim.jpg

Crevasses, or deep fractures in the ice, are related to how fast and in which direction a glacier is flowing. At fast-moving glaciers like Columbia, crevasses form perpendicular to the flow because the ice stretches beyond its breaking point as it moves forward. Here at Sólheimajökull, crevasses form parallel to the flow as the ice thins and spreads out sideways. The crevasses open up to allow for lateral expansion. This video also shows how the glacier is deflating as it loses volume.

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