iceberg

An iceberg is a huge chunk of floating ice formed from the slow process of ice calving from a glacier. Found often in the Antarctic waters, icebergs can be seen drifting slowly in the deep sea, slowly melting in the warm atmosphere of the region. They can measure from small chunks to hundreds of feet in length and can be several stories tall, making them imposing structures.
The scientific study of icebergs began long ago and continues today, giving us a better understanding of their formation, structure and characteristics. Icebergs can break apart upon impact with anything solid and thus pose a great danger to ships that are unaware of their presence. To mitigate this risk, scientists are continually researching methods of detection and tracking of icebergs.
Icebergs are a fascinating presence in the polar environment and provide us with a wealth of knowledge about how ice and the sea interact. They are also a reminder of more widespread environmental issues such as global warming, which has the potential to destabilize the stability of ice shelves leading to more frequent calving of icebergs. Further scientific research and greater understanding of these giant ice masses is essential to preserving their unique environment.