Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 02/18/2012 - 12:48
Forums
Seafloor Organisms and Changing Ocean Conditions in Antarctic

Hey Nellsie Loving the pics- so amazing! Have you been able to get on to one or any of the icebergs? What are they like- any rocks etc on them? How close can you get to them? In the pics you are dressed with so many layers- is it really that cold? I thought I saw it was 32... could be way off! You know me. Anxious to hear and see more animals you see- they are so cool!!! The equipment is all very high tech- did you have to learn to use all of it?
hugs Lolo

Sat, 02/18/2012 - 13:43

Nell Herrmann

Hi Lolo!Thanks so much for writing! It's great to hear from you. I've been thinking of you and Nods a lot. The geology of this place isn't very different from that of Blue Hill (in some ways). I'm finding a lot of the same types of rocks that I find on the uninhabited islands in the Blue Hill Bay. We can get pretty close to some of the icebergs in the zodiacs. They say you should stay as far away as 3 x the height of the iceberg, just in case a piece breaks off. Depending on the size of the iceberg, that can create a big wave and can be dangerous (especially if you're just in a zodiac). The icebergs are just pure ice that has broken off from the glaciers; I haven't seen any rocks in them, but I suppose it's possible that rocks could be attached at the bottom.
Yes, I am still learning how to use all of the equipment. Kate and Julie are teaching me which is good.
Keep in touch and hugs back,
Nell