Icebergs moving towards New Zealand

This photo taken on November 17 shows a giant iceberg, as it drifts past the Australian sub-Antarctic territory of Macquarie Island. (Xinhua/Agencies Photo)

A cluster of Antarctic icebergs were heading towards New Zealand after being spotted around 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of the country, the AFP reported Friday, citing scientists.

Icebergs are a rare sight in the sub-Antarctic waters south of New Zealand but in 2006 a number floated to within 25 kilometres of the coastline, the first such sighting since 1931.

Oceanographer Mike Williams said currents and winds would determine whether the latest icebergs, estimated to be up to 80 metres in length, would come close to the New Zealand coastline.

Last week Australian scientists saw a mass of icebergs floating past Macquarie Island, another 600 kilometres to the southwest.

The largest was reported to be around two kilometres in length.

It is rare for whole icebergs to drift so far north before melting, but a cold snap around southern New Zealand and favorable ocean currents have again combined to push the towering visitors to the region intact, according to an article by the Associated Press.

Icebergs are formed as the ice shelf develops. Snow falls on the ice sheet and forms more ice, which flows to the edges of the floating ice shelves. Eventually, pieces around the edge break off.

Source: CRI online/Agencies
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