Wellington: A cluster of Antarctic icebergs
were heading towards New Zealand after being spotted around
400 kilometres (250 miles) south of the country, scientists
said today.
Icebergs are a rare sight in the sub-Antarctic waters
south of New Zealand but in 2006 a number floated to within 25
kilometres of the coastline, the first such sighting since
1931.
Oceanographer Mike Williams said currents and winds would
determine whether the latest icebergs, estimated to be up to
80 metres in length, would come close to the New Zealand
coastline.
The icebergs were spotted by a tourist ship, Spirit of
Enderby, near the Auckland Islands and expedition leader
Rodney Russ said it was the first time in 37 years of visiting
the area that he had seen icebergs.
"They currently appear to be moving north at about 1.25
kilometres an hour," Russ said in a statement.
"It is possible that they might reach New Zealand intact
-- but they are showing signs of deteriorating and breaking
up."
Last week Australian scientists saw a mass of icebergs
floating past Macquarie Island, another 600 kilometres to the
southwest.
Bureau Report
First Published: Friday, November 20, 2009, 13:15