Singing Icebergs

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Müller, Christian, Schlindwein, Vera, Eckstaller, Alfons, Miller, Heinrich
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2005
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctica; Dronning Maud Land
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1117145; https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.1117145

Sustained harmonic tremor signals were recorded by the seismographs of the German Neumayer Base seismological network in western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. These tremor episodes, lasting up to 16 hours, were recorded up to 820 kilometers from the source. Their spectra show narrow peaks with fundamental frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 6 hertz, more than 30 integer harmonic overtones, and frequency gliding, resembling volcanic tremor. Frequency‐wave number analysis suggested a moving source, which was recognized as iceberg B-09A traveling along the coast of eastern Antarctica. The most probable tremor sources are fluid-flow‐induced vibrations inside the iceberg's tunnel/crevasse systems.