Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 18:19
Forums
Erebus Volcano Antarctica

Dear Mr. Wood,

        Hello! I have a question about one of the pictures you posted on the entry from Dec. 25. When you showed the first I cave, I was wondering. How can the ice turn into so many shades of blue? Is it because of the different gases there, the amount of oxygen, or is it just the sun? (or is it for a mysteriously unknown reason?) Please reply soon if you can, and be careful!

                                                            -Your 2nd period student,

                                                                   Anne Chen  

Tue, 01/06/2009 - 00:56

John Wood

Hello Anne,
The blues are beautiful!  There is every shade of blue that you can imagine.  Remember that the ice is water, and water absorbs the different colors of the sunlight and reflects others.  I'm sure that some of the gases trapped in the ice has an affect on the color also.  They are really pretty, and I have a lot more pictures to share!
Cheers,
Mr. Wood