Rare black iceberg spotted off Labrador coast could be 100,000 years old, prof says
A stunning and rare black iceberg spotted off the coast of Labrador has captivated social media users around the world. The iceberg was first photographed by Hallur Antoniussen, a fish harvester from the Faroe Islands, who was working on the Saputi factory freezer trawler in mid-May.
Antoniussen, who has over 50 years of experience fishing off Greenland and Labrador, was amazed by the unique diamond shape and dark color of the iceberg. He ruled out the possibility that it had rolled over or picked up dirt and rocks, as it appeared to be completely black with grey veins running through it.
The iceberg was spotted in the Hopedale channel, located between Nain and Hopedale, more than 100 kilometers offshore. Antoniussen estimated the size of the iceberg to be at least three times the size of a regular bungalow. He quickly snapped a photo with his phone and shared it on Facebook, where it quickly went viral.
Scientists, including Memorial University professor Lev Tarasov, have been intrigued by the mysterious black iceberg. Tarasov speculates that the iceberg may contain ice that is over 100,000 years old and could have originated from a volcanic region in Greenland. He believes that the black color could be due to volcanic ash from an ancient eruption or possibly dust from a meteorite strike in the area.
Tarasov explains that icebergs form when ice from all over Greenland converges toward its coastline and breaks off into the water. The ice can take one to three years to reach the Newfoundland and Labrador coastline, where it eventually melts away. The black color of the iceberg may be due to sediment and rock particles picked up along the way, creating a stunning and unique sight.
Overall, the discovery of the black iceberg has provided scientists with valuable insights into the dynamic nature of ice and the geological history of the region. It serves as a reminder of the incredible forces of nature that shape our planet and the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of the ocean.
