NZ quakes calve a 27-million ton iceberg

Christchurch quakes calve a 27-million ton chunk of ice from Tasman Glacier

The iceberg measured 1,200m long, 300m high and 75m wide; it broke off the face of Tasman Glacier, in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, and plunged into Tasman Lake shortly after the earthquake struck Christchurch yesterday, local reports say.

The large icebergs reportedly broke up upon impact with water, forming several smaller chunks of ice, with the largest measuring about 250m long.

The event created tsunamis up to 3.5m high. Some 16 tourists and two guides out on an “adventure tour” were lucky to escape unhurt.

A 27-million ton iceberg calved from Tasman Glacier after Tuesday’s earthquake and plunged into the Tasman Lake, 200km (124 miles) southeast of Christchurch. Image credit: Reuters/Denis Callesen/Handout

The iceberg is said to be the third largest calving to have occurred in the Tasman Lake since 1970.Image credit as above.

New Zealand Earthquake Update

• The authorities have raised the death toll to at least 75, with 20 bodies unidentified, some believed to be foreign tourists.
• More than 300 people are said to be missing.
  

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• NZ Govt and Google Buried Quake Warnings
• Two Significant ‘Foreshocks’ Strike Christchurch, NZ

• Christchurch Quake: Many Tourists Killed