Ice Cover - Out of Equilibrium

Iceberg in Spaniard's Bay


The article Out of Equilibrium by Charles Schmidt see: Environ Health Perspect 119:a20-a28, 2011 is worth checking out. I believe Alison first drew attention to the piece in her blog, but I am only now getting around to reading it. I am sure experts in the area would have a different view but I was blown away by some of the information for example, the authors wrote: In August 2010 an iceberg four times the size of Manhattan broke off the coast of Greenland and began drifting out to sea.

Maybe it's the absence of snow here in NL and the bizarre amounts of snow elsewhere like Glasgow plus these articles - but you have to think all this is evidence something is out of synch.

Have a read through this article. I am glad someone is keeping an eye on things I just hope the political decision makers are listening to the experts.

Wave action

Mad Rocks - I don't know what I like more, the name of this place or the actual spot.

Here is an extraordinary quote from The Wave as part of Susan Casey's research: When Simon Day analyzed his research, he was stunned: the model showed that when this land(a small volcanic island in the Canary Islands)dropped into the ocean, the resulting splash wave would be three thousand feet high and generate a tsunami that would hit the Caribbean, North and South America. By the time it arrived at the U.S East coast nine hours later, the wave would still top one hundred feet.

Apparently volcanic eruptions have weakened this island and there is a concern the next eruptions could cause a section of the island weighing 500 billion tons to be lost from the main body of the island.

This kind of wave research gives new perspective to our understanding of wave and water mechanics.

There is nothing like a good dose of Fog

Just when you think we will be able to get out the cross country skis for extra training - mild temperatures and fog rolls in.

This Way to Dublin

This day had several different elements of weather. Initially little wind and sun; then cloudy overcast drizzle. Within two hours fog at Signal Hill, then higher colder winds and as we were heading in - cold, wind and snow. Unpredictable but fun.
The sign says it all - Dublin or Paris is the next stop for paddlers, as they approach the horizon.

New Years Day Paddle

It is amazing the difference a little bit of sunshine makes. The brain figures it is going to be a warm day and that makes a difference on an ocean paddle even for a short distance. Minus 2 degrees C but even a young seal found the sun a good enough reason to lounge on the rocky shore of the inner harbour.
Close to shore two otters spotted us but evaded the camera and on the north part of the headland a lone eagle was hovering above the cliff.
A great way to start the season.

Through the Gut on New Years Day

The small exit from the harbour to the Atlantic is known by most as "the Gut". I am not sure why exactly - no doubt it is a reference to the narrow size of the entrance to the harbour. This plus the swells and wave action can create quite a challenge to returning into the harbour.
Some years no one gets out because of the large waves surf and swell.
This year all participants got beyond the gut and headed out some distance to play in the waves. Dry suits, thermal wear and pogies were pretty much essential items.

Happy New Year

Every year kayakers in the St.John's region all gather in Quidi Vidi and paddle out through the harbour and into the open water. This has become a tradition for years and no matter what the weather, there is always a good group in attendance.
Quidi Vidi is actually a small community within the city and the residents very tolerant to our NYD invasion.
Today, the air temperature was - one or two degrees C, sunny with calm water in the harbour. There was a bit of a swell on, but minimal effect on the harbour exit.