Hubbard Glacier, Alaska

Today, we are cruising into Disenchantment Bay to see beautiful Hubbard Glacier.  At 76 miles long, 7 miles wide, and 600 feet tall, it is North America's largest tidewater glacier.  Tidewater glaciers are valley glaciers that flow all the way down to the ocean.  At its terminal face (front), 350 feet of the glacier is exposed above the waterline and 250 feet of it is below the waterline.

Hubbard Glacier

The ice at the terminal face (front) is approximately 450 years old and can be over 2,000 feet thick.

Minor Calving at Hubbard Glacier

For the next 2.5 hours, the ship floats in the ice-studded water about 2-3 miles from the face of the glacier.  It is windy and cold outside but we brave the elements for about 1.5 hours photographing the blue ice and minor splashes from calving.  Loud cracks like rumbling thunder indicates that calving is occurring somewhere on the glacier.  Listen carefully for a fizzing sound (called “Berg Seltzer”).   According to Wikipedia, “this sound is made when the water-ice interface reaches compressed air bubbles trapped in the ice.  As this happens, each bubble bursts, making a 'popping' sound.”  These sounds add to the excitement and experience of visiting glaciers. 

Disenchantment Bay is also home to Turner Glacier (located just west of Hubbard Glacier).  Turner Glacier is also a tidewater glacier.  The black lines are moraines (glacial debris) ground from the mountain sides.  This is what gives Turner Glacier its “dirty” appearance. 

Turner Glacier

 

For more information on Hubbard Glacier, visit the National Park Service website at:

Hubbard Glacier Facts