Deep into the glacier!

Writes fotobloger from Tula aka drqmax:

"In Austria there are around 840 almost pristine glaciers. Skiing is possible only on the eight, five of which are in the Tyrol. Of these, the Hintertux Glacier is the only year-round resort with skiing area. We were lucky enough to get deep into the glacier itself! I suggest you take a virtual journey with me. "
12 photos

1. Glacier is a stream of ice mass that moves continuously. At the top of the glacier accumulates their mass.





2. The snow that falls in the mountains, repeatedly melts and turns into a so-called "Firn snow".



3. After about 10 years, the density of the snow becomes equal to 900 kg / m. cu. - Crystals "Firn snow" transformed into glacial ice.



4. The particles of ice continuously moving down the mountain into the valley, where, in the end, are melting. The velocity of the ice depends on the size and the individual characteristics of the glacier and an average of 100 to 1000 years.



5. But, for example, in Greenland snow crystals that fall to the top of the glacier reached its end only in 100 000 years, and in Antarctica over 400,000! Hintertux Glacier, this figure varies from 500 to 1000 years.



6. Pakistan holds the record - there is the fastest glacier in the world. In 1953 there was a surge when the glaciers moved more than 12 km during the 3 months. The average speed was about 112 meters per day!



7. Due to the movement of ice intermediate supports lifts several times a year to move to their initial positions.



8. Glacier in all its mass does not move uniformly, for example, he had to go around the ridges and rocks, in some places, slowing down, and in some the opposite - accelerated. This leads to stresses in the thickness of the ice and the formation of cracks. These cracks in the Alpine glaciers reach 30m. Sometimes they can be observed directly from the ski slopes.



9. Natural Ice Palace on the Hintertux glacier was discovered in 2007 quite by accident. The walls of the cave looks fundamental and durable, but in fact they are constantly flowing. This was discovered after precise measurements made during the period from 2007 to 2008. Since November 2008, anyone can visit the ice caves. They lead the visitor deep into the glacier at 25 meters from the surface. The depth of the Hintertux Glacier in some places is 120 meters.



10. That part of the glacier, on which we walked, only 4 years. Sometimes the ice met such here granite veins. Perhaps the glacier "licked" stones with some rocks. In some parts of the glacier access is closed. They found rare ancient bacteria, whose influence on human are not yet fully understood.



11. Thus, the temperature inside is kept at from 0, 5 to 0, and ice 5 so thick that it can not leak, the cavities may be formed in the whole lake! When we were in the glacier-like hole in the cavity was flooded, but experts swim there in the summer boating and scuba divers sink to the bottom! Wow, is this extreme and people!



12. After the tour, you go out on the blinding sunshine, blue skies and sparkling snow, with feeling - is this all there is left, under your feet? ...



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