A close-up of an iceberg in Garden Bay at the north end of
Macquarie Island. Photo by Australian Antarctic Division
Hopes of seeing icebergs off the coast of Otago in
the coming days have been blown away by strong winds - although
a following group of icebergs could still make an appearance.
The nearest iceberg to New Zealand, estimated to be up to
200m long, was last week floating over 200km southeast
of Stewart Island and drifting north at about 25km a day.
However, since then strong westerly winds have blown the
icebergs away from the South Island, dashing the plans of
sightseers and helicopter companies for a repeat of
2006's iceberg bonanza.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
scientist Mike Williams told the Press the icebergs seen off
Macquarie Island three weeks ago had missed the South Island.
"It seems that all the westerlies we had at the end of last
week have pushed them away from the coast. They're a bit
south of Stewart Island but being pushed well out to the
east," he said.
"I don't think this particular bunch is likely to come New
Zealand's way, although there might be some ships that sight
them. There's still 10 to 12 around Macquarie Island where
these came from that could head this way."
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