Wonder

Warren icefall

The fantastic Airdevronsix icefall from 17.5 km distance, Antarctica
The fantastic Airdevronsix icefall from 17.5 km distance! Warren icefall is seen in the left side. / P.Wright, US Geological Survey, public domain

WorldBlue  In short

Next to the gargantuan Airdevronsix icefall is located one more giant icefall – the 920 m wide and 400 m tall Warren icefall.

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GPS coordinates
77.5567 S 160.4328 E
Location, address
Antarctic and Sub-antarctic region, Antarctica, East Antarctica, Victoria Land, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Wright Valley, Wright Upper Glacier, to the south-east from Airdevronsix icefall between Mt. Fleming and Mt. Baldr
Height
˜ 400 m
Width
˜ 920 m
Glacier
Wright Upper Glacier

Map of the site

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WorldYellow In detail

Just like Airdevonsrix icefall, Warren icefall has formed in a location where the giant East Antarctic ice sheet pours (because ice is slow-flowing liquid) in McMurdo Dry Valleys. Here a dolerite sill (intrusion of sturdy rocks) in the Jurassic period broke through the Devonian – Triassic sandstone. This hard rock resists the force of glaciers and as a result, has formed this giant step with a 400 m tall, vertical wall.

Upper rim of falls is at the height of 1,550 m above sea level. Lower reaches of icefall are not even but in general are some 1150 above the sea level – thus the assumed height of icefall is approximately 400 m.

Airdevronsix icefalls together with Warren falls form one of the most magnificent sights on our planet.

Images

  • GigaPan image by Zbigniew Malolepszy, 2010. Warren Icefall is seen on the left side.

References

  1. Jackie Grom, Ancient Ecosystem Discovered Beneath Antarctic Glacier. Science, April 16, 2009.

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