v1 v2 v3 v4 v5 v6 v7 v8 v9 v10 v11 v12 v13 v14 v15
1.80 5.13
<<<<, 810, 0 <<<<, 800, 0
Icebergs are big. Pieces of ice that form on land, and then float off into an
ocean or lake, are called icebergs.
They are pieces of ice that float in water. They come in a variety of sizes.
They
are found in lakes. But, the term iceberg only refers to chunks of ice larger than sixteen
feet across.
They are found in oceans. Yet, the iceberg we see is just a small part of these icy
chunks.
Icebergs come in many
sizes. Up to 90% of each iceberg's mass is underwater.
They must be wider than sixteen feet across. <<<<, 800, 0
If they are any
smaller, they are not icebergs. Smaller icebergs have funny nicknames.
We only see the top of icebergs. They're often referred
to by ship workers as bergy bits or growlers.
Most
of an iceberg is hiding under water. So, the next time you
want ice for your soda, say to your mom, "Can I have a growler?"
We hardly see any of it! She won't know what you're talking about.
<<<<, 800, 0 But, you will.
Do you have a nickname? <<<<, 800, 0
Small icebergs do! To be sure, small icebergs are the most dangerous.
They are called
bergy bits. They are
tough to spot in the water, at times.
They are called growlers. When ships crash into them,
they can cause lots of damage.
Sailors named them. In fact, icebergs have sunk many
vessels in the history of sea travel.
These are
funny-sounding names. <<<<, 850, 0
Imagine the next time you have a drink and
want an ice cube to make it cold. The most famous incident is the sinking of the Titanic--a huge
passenger boat.
Ask your mom, "Can I have a
growler?" It sunk near Newfoundland in the year 1912.
She won't get the joke. Hollywood
even made a big budget movie about it.
But, you will. That's right--one of the most
successful flicks of all is about an iceberg taking down a ship!
<<<<, 800, 0 <<<<, 800, 0
Small icebergs are the worst. Icebergs form when chunks of ice break from glaciers or
ice shelves.
They are a danger. They begin in the North Atlantic or Antarctica.
Why? And,
in case you're wondering, sometimes penguins do live on
icebergs.
They
are harder to see. But, they can't do so for long.
Ships hit them. <<<<, 840, 0
This can break a ship apart. After a while, icebergs drift and travel with ocean currents.
The
ship could sink! On
occasion they will even smash up against shore in seaside communities.
In fact, Icebergs have sunk many ships. Of course, when icebergs reach warmer waters, they melt into liquid.
<<<<, 800, 0 This, in turn, slowly raises the level of the sea.
A famous shipwreck is "The Titanic." <<<<, 800, 0
It was a very big ship. Icebergs are clearly a danger to sea travelers.
It
was huge! So, what can
people do to help stop tragedy from happening?
It held lots of people. It turns out the
"International Ice Patrol" uses airplanes and radar signals to track
icebergs.
It hit an iceberg in the Atlantic
Ocean and sunk. They are often able to warn ocean liners of these
hazards ahead of time.
This happened at night. <<<<, 800, 0
The year was 1912. This helps boats around major shipping lanes steer away from
icebergs.
That's
over 100 years ago! Also, the "U.S. National Ice Center" uses satellite data to
watch icebergs.
Movies were made about it. But, they only track lumps of ice larger than 5,400
square feet.
Are you a movie
star? It takes the effort of many people to keep ocean travel
safe from these chunks of frozen water.
Not yet, right? <<<<, 840, 0
But, icebergs are! Our planet is slowly becoming a warmer place to live.
<<<<, 800, 0 That means
more icebergs are breaking away than ever.
Icebergs start as part of glaciers. As this trend continues,
expect to hear a lot more news about icebergs in the future.
Glaciers are sheets of thick
ice on land. <<<<
Icebergs are chunks of ice that break off from glaciers.
Some break off near the North Pole--the Arctic.
Some break off
near the South Pole--the Antarctic.
These are very cold places.
Do
penguins live on icebergs?
Yes, but they can't for long.
<<<<, 800, 0
Icebergs float away.
They move with currents.
Some icebergs
go far.
Some float into harbors.
Some smash into shore.
In warm
waters, they melt--as all icebergs do.
This makes the sea level rise.
<<<<, 800, 0
Icebergs are a risk.
Ships must be careful.
Sailors must watch
out for them.
But, they have help.
The "International Ice Patrol"
helps.
It is a group that tracks icebergs.
They use planes.
They use
radar.
They warn ships.
That way, ships miss icebergs.
<<<<, 800, 0
The "U.S. National Ice Center" helps too.
They also watch for
icebergs.
They use satellites to do so.
But, they only track really
big ones.
Both groups help to keep the sea safe.
<<<<, 800, 0
Our planet is slowly warming up.
This will likely cause more
glaciers to melt.
In turn, this will make many more icebergs.
You
can count on hearing a lot more about icebergs, in the future.
<<<<