88 MARION EXPEDITION TO DAVIS STEAIT AND BAFFIN BAY 



berjrs were met, so thickly iiifestin<j: the coastal waters that a small 

 boat had difficulty in navigating through the Vaigat. Upernivik 

 district w^itnesses the release of the bergs about two weeks earlier 

 than Disko Bay because, owing to its exposed position, the fast ice 

 breaks earlier there. 



The iceberg fjords of Disko Bay and of Northeast Bay and their 

 discharging glaciers have been the object of more scientific study 

 than have any other similar parts of Greenland. Hannner (1893). 

 and Helland (1876), have made investigations of Torsukatak and 

 Jacobshavn Fjords. Drygalski (1895) devoted more than two years" 

 study to the glaciers in this district, especial attention being paid 



A WEST GREENLAND GLACIER AND ITS ICE-STREWN WATERS 



Figure 46. — Ekip-Strmia Glacier, which discharges into a tributary of the Atta Sound, 

 west Greenland, latitude 69° 40' N., longitnrte 50° 05' W. As we approached this 

 localit,v the color of the surface water took on a shade i f light, milk.v green, due 

 to the" great amount of "'rock flour" ground out along the glacier bed. A darker 

 earth material lay suspended in the deeper layers of the fjord, leaving a nuuldy 

 brown wake stirred up bv the passage of the ship. TlKuisands of kiltiwakcs led in 

 the ice-strewn waters. 'This glacier, unlike (ireaf Kara.jak and several others, is 

 known as calving no ice of berg size. ( L'hoti graph by Ibiatswain .1. K. Kresteiisea. 1 



to Great and Little Karajak. Itividliarsuk. Sermilik. Kink, and 

 Umiamako. 



Great Karajak Glacier, which debouches into the fjord of tiuit 

 name, exhibits a front about 3 miles in width, and rises approxi- 

 mately 'i()0 feet — in the middle. ;500 feet — above the surface of the 

 fjord. The ice moves fastest at the outer end of the tongue, near its 

 middle, where rates as high as GO to 75 feet ])er day have been re- 

 corded, but ;)5 to (')() feet is more representative. The rates of each 

 ])articiilar glacier, of course, vary, but some idea of tiie rapidity of 

 flow of the west (ireenland ice streams m;iy be gained when tJK'y an' 

 comiJareil witli the fastest glaciers of the Alps. \vhi(d> travel about 



