When we normally think of ice we assume it to be with. Then one can wonder why the ice in many Ice caves turns into blue, gray, or black in Iceland?
Depending on how the ice was formed the cave can even be crystal clear or glass and everything in between. They also have a tendency of being different colors. No, we do not mean that they have every color present under the sun. But they do have staggering shades of blue and gray.
How does ice turn blue?
This usually happens when all the crystal in glaciers get compressed beneath their own weight for hundreds or thousands of years and the air inside them comes out in the form of bubbles. In this process, the ice enlarges and forms blue ice. When a glacier undergoes such a transformation one can actually the whole glacier emits light like a quartz crystal. If seen from afar the glacier looks light blue in color.
In most cases, the blue looks opaque and almost solid like a crystal. Some glaciers can have a deeper and richer color. In these mostly algae are trapped which impart the color. Some glaciers have a very deep blue color that looks almost violet. This is due to the fact that the color runs very deep in these glaciers or caves.
The caves found in Iceland defy the conventional norms or topology and ice cave formation. Some are so ornate in design that it is hard to think that these were made due to certain conditions being met. Rather than someone carved them altogether. Most of these formations have left the scientists baffled for many years as they squirm to find some rhyme and reason behind their formations.
The Crystal Cave in Breidamerkurjökull is present in an outlet glacier from Vatnajökull and is famous for its deep turquoise color. Other caves are also present which are gray and black in color. Langjökull Ice Cave is also another example of a recently formed ice cave which is mostly famous for the different colors that it has. One can find deep and dramatic shades of blue and white throughout the cave. In some places in the cave, you can see concentric circles that alternate between blue and white while zebra stripe kind of patterns can also be observed. Blue objects like crystals can also be seen distinctly sometimes. This is due to the variation of the color and distribution in the ice.
Not very far from the Crystal Lake is a Black ice cave known as the Dark Rubin in Iceland. Due to the black ice, the place is actually quite dark and it is not a very popular tourist destination. The cave can only fit about 30 people at a time and has very poor visibility inside.
Another cave can be found in Mýrdalsjökull Glacier near the Katla Volcano. This is even darker than the one mentioned before.
Touring In an Ice Cave
While admiring the beauty of one such cave it is easy to forget that you are literally walking on ice. Make sure you have someone with you when you explore these caves and have the right equipment. Having someone more experienced than you is the key here and follow the guidelines. These caves are inherently dangerous and a mistake by one can lead to tricky situations for all.
Although flights to Iceland are now available throughout that does not mean that the caves are open for exploration year-round too. Iceland is a popular tourist destination for the most part of the year but if you want to visit the caves the best time is in the winter. That means the caves are open for tourists from November till March. This is the peak season when people come to bask in the glory of these caves. Also, at this time of the year, the ice is rock solid which makes it safer to explore these caves.
Ice caves are wonders of nature. These blue objects on Earth are part of the unexplained formations that humans still need to decode. Most of the caves have a very different vibe and are mostly mesmerizing in nature. The sheer natural beauty will leave you in their awe and the different shades are a sight to behold. These blue objects of wonder are masses of raw ice from the start of finish. Having a walk inside them is an experience of a lifetime.
What makes them even more unique is the fact that they are ever-changing in nature. You might visit a cave one season and if you visit it after a few years it would have changed significantly. Even the size of the formation changes along with all the intrinsic patterns present inside. For example, in 2016 a Blue ice cave came into existence and was named the Blue Diamond Cave. It was so small that it could only accommodate 16 people at once while the Crystal Cave can house 100 people with ease.
The experienced tour guides study and map these glaciers year after year just before the season so that they can discover new formations. And make note of the changes that have happened. This is also to ensure the safety of all the people.
How they came into existence
Like the floating and ever-fleeting glaciers we have already established the fact that these caves are also ever-evolving and changing. This can be mainly attributed to the fact that in summer the glaciers melt while in winters they freeze again. The melted water drains downwards through all the cracks and crevices. They reach the bottom of the glacier and end up forming rivers underneath. This ensures that the glacier is free to float wherever the current takes it. These internal channels in the ice are responsible for the movement of glaciers at large and also the reason ice caves change so frequently.
The sub glacial flow triggers geothermal warmth. The glacial flow and the hydrothermal flow of water also cause the ice to take shape accordingly. Since this has been established it is still impossible to figure whether a cave was formed by geothermal or sub glacial activity.
When its cold in the winters ice hardens and the melting water stops creeping down to the bottom. In the absence of this melted water, the tunnels transform into ice, and they are so huge that they may be considered to ice caves.
Ice Caves vs Glacier Caves
These blue objects of beauty can someone cause some confusion in how to be classified. For example, even though they are made of ice all the Ice Caves in Iceland are technically glacier caves as they are formed inside the glaciers entirely. But the name Ice Cave is way more popular. Ice Caves are literally caves with a lot of ice in them so their formation has nothing to do with the name.
Proper Cave Etiquette
Most people are amazed by what is inside the cave. Some intricate formations will also be present there. It is best not to touch anything that may break easily. Also, a crack can lead to a series of events that may be dangerous for everyone present inside the cave. Do not act hastily and under no circumstances run or stomp your feet in the ground.
Always follow guidelines laid down by the tour guide and be respectful of the fact that even one person’s action can endanger the whole crew and tourists present there. Follow their instructions at all times to have the best experience.
Make sure you pay heed to all the signs present inside a cave. They are there for a reason. Nature might be beautiful to look at but can turn fierce in a split second. These blue objects are not an exception. A cracked ice floor can mean imminent complications for everyone.
If someone brags about violating the safety norms do not pay heed to them as they had successfully endangered the lives of a group of people for no reason.
There is a famous Dragon Glass ice cave that resembles the themes and aesthetics of Game of Thrones and is a must-watch for everyone.
Even before you reach the cave you must tread very carefully. Keep in mind that you are essentially walking on a sheet of ice that has freezing water underneath. These adventures are very aesthetically please but keep yourself safe at all costs. Listen to the guidelines and try to read up on the cave and the trek beforehand. Try to be aware of the situations in the cave and do not let your adrenaline rush get the best of you as haste actions can cause complications on these ice surfaces. Your tour guide will be happy to answer and explain all your questions and can also guide you to the best formations. We would recommend having a great rapport with him from the start to make the best of these blue objects of natural beauty.
Kwa kawaida tunapozungumzia barafu, tunadhani ni barafu. Basi mtu aweza kujiuliza kwa nini barafu katika mapango mengi ya barafu hubadilika kuwa ya bluu, kijivu, au nyeusi katika Iceland? Ikitegemea jinsi barafu ilivyotokezwa, pango hilo laweza kuwa safi kama kioo au kioo na kila kitu kilicho kati. Pia huwa na rangi tofauti-tofauti. La, hatusemi kwamba zina rangi zote zilizopo chini ya jua. Lakini zina rangi za bluu na kijivu zenye kuvutia. Barafu hubadilikaje kuwa ya bluu? Hii hutokea wakati kioo cha barafu kinapopunguzwa chini ya uzito wake kwa mamia au maelfu ya miaka na hewa ndani yake hutoka nje kwa namna ya Bubbles. Katika mchakato huo, barafu hiyo huongezeka na kufanyiza barafu ya bluu. Wakati glacier hupitia mabadiliko kama hayo, glacier nzima inaweza kutoa mwanga kama kioo cha quartz. Ikiwa itazingatiwa kutoka mbali, barafu hiyo inaonekana kuwa na rangi ya bluu-nyeupe. Katika visa vingi, rangi ya bluu huonekana kuwa isiyo na uwazi na karibu kuwa imara kama kioo. Baadhi ya barafu zaweza kuwa na rangi nyangavu na yenye rangi nyingi zaidi. Katika hizi hasa mwani ni kukamatwa ambayo kutoa rangi. Baadhi ya barafu zina rangi ya bluu yenye kina kirefu sana ambayo huonekana kama zambarau. Hii ni kwa sababu rangi hiyo huenea sana ndani ya barafu au mapango hayo. Mapango yanayopatikana katika Iceland hupinga kanuni za kawaida au topolojia na malezi ya mapango ya barafu. Baadhi ya vitu hivyo vimechorwa kwa mapambo ya hali ya juu sana hivi kwamba ni vigumu kufikiri kwamba vimetengenezwa kwa sababu ya hali fulani zilizokuwa zikitimizwa. Badala ya mtu kuchonga yao kabisa. Maumbile haya yamewafanya wanasayansi kuwa na wasiwasi kwa miaka mingi, wakijitahidi kutafuta sababu za kuumbwa kwao. Crystal Cave katika Breidamerkurjökull ni sasa katika outlet glacier kutoka Vatnajökull na ni maarufu kwa rangi yake ya turquoise kina. Mapango mengine pia yapo ambayo ni ya rangi ya kijivu na nyeusi. Langjökull Ice Cave ni moja ya mapango ya barafu ya zamani zaidi ya miaka miwili iliyopita na ni maarufu kwa rangi zake za rangi. Mtu aweza kupata rangi nyangavu na zenye kuvutia za bluu na nyeupe kotekote katika pango hilo. Katika sehemu fulani za pango hilo, unaweza kuona duara zenye umbo la mviringo ambazo hubadilika-badilika kati ya rangi ya bluu na nyeupe huku mviringo wa zebra ukionekana. Vitu vya bluu kama vile fuwele pia vinaweza kuonekana wazi wakati mwingine. Hilo husababishwa na tofauti za rangi na usambazaji katika barafu. "Kutoka kwa ziwa la Crystal, kuna pango la barafu la Black Rubin, ambalo linajulikana kama ""Dark Rubin.""" Kwa sababu ya barafu nyeusi, mahali hapo kwa kweli ni giza kabisa na si mahali maarufu sana kwa watalii. Pango hilo lina uwezo wa watu 30 tu kwa wakati mmoja na lina uwezo mdogo wa kuona ndani. Pango jingine laweza kupatikana katika Barafu ya Mýrdalsjökull karibu na Volkano ya Katla. Hii ni hata giza kuliko moja zilizotajwa hapo awali. Kutembea Katika Pango la Barafu Wakati wa kuvutiwa na uzuri wa pango moja kama hilo ni rahisi kusahau kwamba wewe ni kweli kutembea juu ya barafu. Hakikisha una mtu wa kukusanya na wewe wakati wa kuchunguza pango hili na kuwa na vifaa sahihi. Kuwa na mtu mwenye uzoefu zaidi kuliko wewe ni ufunguo hapa na kufuata miongozo. Mapango hayo ni hatari sana na kosa la mtu mmoja laweza kusababisha hali ngumu kwa wote. Ingawa ndege za kwenda Iceland zinapatikana kila wakati, hiyo haimaanishi kwamba mapango hayo yanaweza kuchunguzwa mwaka mzima. Iceland ni maarufu kwa watalii kwa sehemu kubwa ya mwaka, lakini kama unataka kutembelea mapango, wakati bora ni wakati wa baridi. Hiyo inamaanisha kwamba mapango hayo hufunguliwa kwa watalii kuanzia Novemba hadi Machi. Huu ndio msimu wa kilele ambapo watu huja kufurahia utukufu wa mapango hayo. Pia, wakati huu wa mwaka, barafu ni ngumu kama mwamba ambayo hufanya iwe salama zaidi kuchunguza mapango haya. Mapango ya barafu ni maajabu ya asili. Vitu hivi vya bluu duniani ni sehemu ya miundo isiyoelezeka ambayo wanadamu bado wanahitaji kuifahamu. Mapango mengi yana hisia tofauti sana na kwa kawaida yanavutia sana. Uzuri wa asili utakufanya utashangaa na rangi tofauti-tofauti ni jambo la kuvutia kuona. Vitu hivi vya bluu vya ajabu ni milipuko ya barafu mbichi kutoka mwanzo hadi mwisho. Kutembea ndani yao ni jambo la pekee maishani. Jambo linalowatokeza zaidi ni kwamba wao hubadilika-badilika daima. Unaweza kutembelea pango msimu mmoja na kama utalitembelea baada ya miaka michache ingekuwa imebadilika kwa kiasi kikubwa. Hata ukubwa wa muundo huo hubadilika pamoja na mifumo yote ya ndani iliyo ndani yake. Kwa mfano, katika mwaka wa 2016, pango la barafu la Blue lilianzishwa na kupewa jina la Blue Diamond Cave. Jumba hilo lilikuwa dogo sana hivi kwamba lilitumiwa na watu 16 tu wakati uleule, lakini Crystal Cave iliweza kutumiwa na watu 100 kwa urahisi. Miongozo ya watalii wenye uzoefu huchunguza na kuchora ramani ya barafu hizi mwaka baada ya mwaka kabla tu ya msimu ili waweze kugundua miundo mipya. Na andika mabadiliko ambayo yametokea. Hii pia ni kuhakikisha usalama wa watu wote. Kama vile barafu zinazoelea na kuteleza daima, tumethibitisha tayari ukweli kwamba mapango haya pia yanaendelea na kubadilika. Jambo hilo laweza kusababishwa hasa na ukweli kwamba wakati wa kiangazi barafu hizo huyeyuka huku wakati wa majira ya baridi kali zikifungia tena. Maji yaliyomwagika hutiririka chini kupitia nyufa na nyufa zote. Zinafika chini ya barafu na kuishia kufanyiza mito chini yake. Hilo huhakikisha kwamba barafu hiyo ina uhuru wa kuelea popote ambapo mkondo wa maji unaipeleka. Mifereji hii ya ndani ya barafu ni wajibu kwa ajili ya harakati ya barafu kwa ujumla na pia sababu mapango ya barafu kubadilisha mara kwa mara. Mtiririko wa chini ya barafu huchochea joto la dunia. Mtiririko wa barafu na mtiririko wa maji ya maji ya maji pia husababisha barafu kuchukua umbo ipasavyo. Tangu hilo lianzishwe bado haiwezekani kujua kama pango hilo lilitokana na utendaji wa joto la dunia au wa chini ya barafu. Wakati wa baridi kali ya majira ya baridi kali barafu huwa ngumu na maji yanayoyeyuka huacha kuteleza hadi chini. Kwa kuwa hakuna maji hayo yaliyomwagika, mifereji hiyo hubadilika kuwa barafu, na ni mikubwa sana hivi kwamba yaweza kuonwa kuwa mapango ya barafu. Mapango ya barafu dhidi ya mapango ya barafu Vitu hivi vya rangi ya bluu vya uzuri vinaweza kusababisha mtu kuchanganyikiwa juu ya jinsi ya kuainishwa. Kwa mfano, ingawa ni ya barafu, mapango yote ya barafu katika Iceland ni mapango ya barafu kwa sababu yameundwa ndani ya barafu kabisa. Lakini jina Ice Cave ni maarufu zaidi. Mapango ya barafu ni mapango yenye barafu nyingi ndani yake, kwa hiyo kuumbwa kwake hakuhusiana na jina hilo. Tabia Nzuri ya Pango Watu wengi hushangaa na kile kilicho ndani ya pango. Baadhi ya miundo tata pia itakuwapo huko. Ni afadhali usiguse kitu chochote kinachoweza kuvunjika kwa urahisi. Pia, ufa unaweza kusababisha mfululizo wa matukio ambayo yanaweza kuwa hatari kwa kila mtu aliye ndani ya pango hilo. Usitende kwa haraka na chini ya hali yoyote kukimbia au kukanyaga miguu yako katika ardhi. Daima fuata miongozo iliyowekwa na mwongozo wa ziara na uheshimu ukweli kwamba hata hatua ya mtu mmoja inaweza kuhatarisha wafanyakazi wote na watalii waliopo huko. Fuata maagizo yao wakati wote ili uwe na uzoefu bora. Hakikisha unazingatia ishara zote zilizo ndani ya pango. Wao wapo kwa sababu fulani. Huenda asili ikawa yenye kupendeza kutazama lakini yaweza kuwa kali sana kwa dakika chache tu. Vitu hivi vya bluu si tofauti. Sakafu ya barafu iliyovunjika yaweza kumaanisha matatizo ya haraka kwa kila mtu. "Ikiwa mtu anajigamba juu ya kukiuka kanuni za usalama, usiwaangalie, kwa kuwa wamefanikiwa kuhatarisha maisha ya kikundi cha watu bila sababu.""" Kuna pango maarufu la barafu la Dragon Glass ambalo linafanana na mandhari na urembo wa Mchezo wa Viti na ni lazima-tazama kwa kila mtu. Hata kabla ya kufika kwenye pango lazima uendelee kwa uangalifu sana. Kumbuka kwamba kwa kweli unatembea juu ya barafu yenye maji baridi chini yake. Hii adventures ni aesthetically sana tafadhali lakini kuweka mwenyewe salama kwa gharama yoyote. Sikiliza maagizo na jaribu kusoma juu ya pango na safari hiyo mapema. Jaribu kuwa na ufahamu wa hali katika pango na usiruhusu adrenaline yako kukimbilia kupata bora ya wewe kama hatua haraka inaweza kusababisha matatizo juu ya uso huu barafu. Mwongozo wako wa ziara utafurahi kujibu na kuelezea maswali yako yote na pia anaweza kukuongoza kwa muundo bora. Tunapendekeza kuwa na uhusiano mzuri naye tangu mwanzo ili kufanya bora ya vitu hivi vya bluu vya uzuri wa asili.