Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Glacier Caves!


Well technically "caves" formed in glacier ice by water running through or under the glacier aren't actually caves because they aren't limestone formations, but they're still really cool! Inside glaciers water can generate enough heat to cause melting of the ice to create a air-filled cavity. Glacier caves can also be formed by heat from volcanic vents or hot springs beneath the ice. However, these ice formations are prone to collapse because of the constant movement of glaciers. The Kverkjfoll glacier caves were formed by a volcanic spring beneath the Vatnajokull glacier in Iceland. However much of the time access to the Kverkjfoll caves is blocked because of their ever changing condition which leads some caverns to collapse. Scientists are also constantly exploring these caves to get a up close look at the mechanics of glaciers. Explorers also go repelling down these caves! Scary!

http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave/ice_caves/glacier_caves.html

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