EBB AND FLOW OF GLACIERS

Chronicle (Levin), 30 November 1946, Page 5

EBB AND FLOW OF GLACIERS

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Bv Telearanh —

WELLINGTON, .nov. mi. After a steady retirement and shrinkage in' depth for a number oi' yenrs, tlie main SoutTi lslnnd glnciers are stated to» have halted and to be sliowing indicatioms of advancing and increasing in de.pth. That their ebb and fioff may have relation to cyeles of solar activity, is regarded in scientilic circles as a speeuiation of sonic interest. The general manager of the Touris: Department, Mr. L. I. Sclnnitt, said to day that a recent visit to the glaciers in the Sonthern Alps — Fox, Frnnz Joset' and Tasman — revealed that the rceessions had been as much as from a ([uarter to half a mile in seven vears. In depth, too, the glaciers had shrunk. Some of the paths bv which visitors once doscended to the ice were now 30 or 40 feet above it. The retirement of the iee at Franz .Tosef had left" a beautiful lake in which fioated miniature icebergs. Mr. Hchniitt said evidence was to be seen of the recent retirement of the ice though this had ceased and possiblv due to the recent heavy winter eonditions, an extension Of the glaciers appeared to have set in. The' ;adgd.nce- :was. as.- yet liard to define. - - • - ' ' The Graliam br'others, who have had some'tiO years' experienee of the main South Tsland glaciers, said they recalled similar advances and reeessions of the glaeier faces.