  
|
 |
Iceberg sizes, shapes and Classifications
Iceberg Size Classifications
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||
| Size Classifications | Height |
Length |
| Glowler | Less than 3' (1 m) |
Less 16' (5 m) |
| Bergy Bit | 3'-13'(1-4 m) |
15'-46'(5-14 m) |
| Small | 14'-50'(5-15 m) |
47'-200'(14-60 m) |
| Medium | 51'-150'(16-45 m) |
201'-400'(61-122 m) |
| Large | 151'-240'(46-75 m) |
401'-670'(123-213 m) |
| Very Large | over 240'(over 75 m)
|
over 670 (over 213) |
Iceberg Shape Classification
There are two basic shape classifications, one tabular and two non-tabular. The non-tabular is broken up into five sub-classifications.
| Basic Classificatons | |
 |
 |
| Tabular - An iceberg with steep sides and flat top having a length-to-height ratio greater than 5:1. Many show horizontal banding. This type of iceberg can be quite large. | Non-Tabular - Describes icebergs that are not tabular shaped. This category is futher subdivided to include the specific shapes described below. If no other description applies, the iceberg is simply referred to as a non-tabular. |
| Five Non-Tabular Sub-Classifications | |
 |
 |
| Dome - An iceberg with a rounded top. |
|
 |
 |
| Pinnacle - An iceberg with one or more spires. |
|
 |
 |
| Wedge - An iceberg having a steep vertical side on one end and sloping on the other. |
|
 |
 |
| Dry-Dock - An iceberg that has eroded so a slot or channel is formed. |
|
 |
 |
| Blocky - An iceberg with a flat top and steep vertical sides. |
|
 |
Backcountry Safaris |
Backcountry Safaris is a member of the following trade and travel organizations:
Iceberg Related Links |
| Ice Survey, Glaiers And Climate Change National Snow And Ice Data Center |
Kenai Fjords Related Links |
Kenai Fjords Wildlife Kenai Fjords National Park Cultural Resources Kenai Fjords Glaciers - Glacial Features Harding Icefield The Retreat of Exit Glacier A Tour of the Life of a Glacier Iceberg Sizes, Shapes And Classifications Kenai Fjords National Park Map Aialik Bay Map See All The Kenai Fjords Maps Available Aialik Bay Photo Album Wildlife Whale Watching Glacier Cruise |
Kenai Fjords Wildlife |
Kenai Fjords Birds |
Suggested Reading |
Kenai Fjords Historic Resource Study (online book) by Linda Cook and
Frank Norris Exploring Alaska's Kenai Fjords  by David MillerKenai Fjords Park - Trails Illustrated Map  Alaska: A History of the 49th State  by Claus-M Naske and Herman E. SlotnickGuide to the Birds of Alaska  by Robert H. ArmstrongWild Flowers of the Yukon, Alaska  by John G. S. Trelawny |
Kenai Fjords Weather |
Current Seward, AK Weather |
 |
You can tell it's going to be a cold paddle when-- ...your Black Lab won't even take a swim. ...you use a snow machine to run your shuttle. ...that pesky Nuclear Winter just won't go away. ...you go boating in Alaska! ...you have to scrape the blue running wax off the bottom of your boat and replace it with a thin coat of green. ...you wake in the morning and find your wetsuit "freeze dried" from yesterday's paddle. ...the rain freezes on the tube of the raft next to you. ...when you have to use your paddle like ski poles to move the boat over the ice. ...you need an icepick to bail your boat. ...when the Fairbanks, AK boaters go home. ...they put a St. Bernard in the safety kit. |