At the summit of Signal Hill in St. John’s on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, a continuous flow of individuals strolled along a rugged cliff, marveling at the sight. Some expressed excitement, while others swiftly reached for their phones to capture the moment – a surge of amazement as an iceberg drifted in the ocean below, separated from a Greenland glacier and transported by the Labrador current on a clear spring day.
This year marks a remarkable period for icebergs in Newfoundland and Labrador, where tourists and locals alike are congregating on shores throughout the province to greet the ancient visitors. Susan Davis, a visitor from Baltimore, described the experience as “joyous” and “beautiful,” highlighting the intense and wonderful colors of the iceberg, a sight she had never witnessed before despite having visited glaciers in Alaska.
The annual iceberg procession is predominantly a distinctive feature of Newfoundland and Labrador, with this year boasting nearly double the average number of icebergs. Satellite data as of Wednesday afternoon indicated approximately 520 icebergs off the east coast of Newfoundland and southern Labrador, a notable increase from the previous year. According to George Karaganis, a senior meteorologist with the Canadian Ice Service, the current count surpasses the average of 274 icebergs recorded from 2002 to 2021.
The journey for a successful iceberg season spans several years, commencing in Greenland where glaciers over 10,000 years old begin calving. These ice fragments can traverse for up to three years before reaching Newfoundland and Labrador, propelled by the Labrador current past Baffin Island and through the Labrador Sea. Subsequently, favorable spring winds from the northeast can push the icebergs closer to the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador for public viewing.
While this year witnessed optimal conditions, experts anticipate a decline in iceberg numbers due to climate change. Pradeep Bobby, leading the Earth observation team at C-CORE in St. John’s, pointed out that diminishing sea ice, crucial for preserving icebergs en route to Newfoundland and Labrador, is expected as ocean temperatures rise.
In Twillingate, N.L., resident Pat Bridger woke up to the sight of an iceberg floating outside her sewing room window on Tuesday, with another joining it by Wednesday morning. Known as the “iceberg capital of the world,” Twillingate experiences a thriving iceberg tourism season. Bridger, accustomed to these sightings, eagerly captures photographs of the icebergs, often hoping to catch glimpses of shimmering gold and silver under the sunlight.
Alick Tsui, a photographer based in St. John’s, exuded enthusiasm as he observed two icebergs off the coast from the trails around Signal Hill. He described the unique colors and sparkle of the icebergs when sunlight reflects off them, a spectacle best appreciated from the water’s vantage point.
Even the interior of an iceberg holds fascination, as Davis recounted her experience on a tour boat where the guide distributed ice chunks scooped from the water. Surprisingly hard and filled with delicate ice crystals, the chunk she tasted was estimated to be 15,000 years old, leaving her in awe of consuming such ancient ice.
As climate patterns shift, the future of iceberg sightings in Newfoundland and Labrador remains uncertain, underscoring the transient nature of these majestic natural wonders.