QUESTION:  
In one of the sceens it showed ice falling into the
water. Was this caused by weight, temperature, or other factors?
                      
                Quentia T. from Juan Morel Campos
                Intermediate School 71, Brooklyn, NY



ANSWER from SCOTT ENLOW, Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Sat, 1 Feb 1997 11:33:46 -0500

Hi Quentia,
There are several factors that lead to a glacier calving event, where 
the ice breaks away and falls into the ocean.  Of course warmer 
temperatures play a part but it is mostly caused by the glacier 
always moving forward.  As the glacier moves from land to sea, it 
floes downward over rock and the front of the glacier begins moving 
faster.  This causes it to break and fracture, forming huge 
cracks which are called crevasses, some as deep as 200 feet!  As they 
near the water's edge, all of the following factors cause them to 
calve:  glacial movement, warmth, excess moisture, and weight.

SCOTT