February 6, 2006, Washington D.C.-- The National Ice Center (NIC) has observed that iceberg C-16 is moving from the area where it was previously thought grounded. C-16 has been grounded just off the north coast of Ross Island since 26 January 2005 (Figure 1). C-16 has rotated 90 degrees on its long axis and has started to move west towards McMurdo Inlet (Figure 2). Under normal current circulation, icebergs would move NNW towards Drygalski Ice Tongue, but C-16 is caught between Ross Island and Beaufort Island (Figure 3) and it is unknown whether it will become grounded once again between these two islands. Iceberg C-16 is currently centered at 77?05’N / 166?47’E and measures 26NM on its long axis, and 10NM on its wide axis. This area is of significant importance this time of year, because the resupply of the United States Antarctic Research Station McMurdo is underway. Depending on C-16’s movement, it is possible that the return route for the supply ships could be impacted. As of today, it was approximately 20NM from the extent of the current fast ice boundary in McMurdo Sound. There are two supply ships currently in the area, the M/V American Tern, and USNS Lawrence H Gianella, along with the Russian icebreaker Krasin. The USCGC Polar Star is en route to McMurdo Sound to assist with the mission.

Iceberg names are derived from the Antarctic quadrant in which they were originally sighted. The quadrants are divided counter-clockwise in the following manner:

Iceberg names are derived from the Antarctic quadrant in which they were originally sighted. The quadrants are divided counter-clockwise in the following manner:

A = 0-90W (Bellinghausen/Weddell Sea)
B = 90W-180 (Amundsen/Eastern Ross Sea)
C = 180-90E (Western Ross Sea/Wilkesland)
D = 90E-0 (Amery/Eastern Weddell Sea)

When first sighted, an iceberg's point of origin is documented by the NIC. The letter of the quadrant, along with a sequential number, is assigned to the iceberg. For example, B-15 is sequentially the 15th iceberg tracked by the NIC in Antarctica between 90W - 180 (Quadrant B).

The National Ice Center is a tri-agency operational center represented by the United States Navy (Department of Defense), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce), and the United States Coast Guard (Department of Homeland Security). The National Ice Center mission is to provide worldwide operational ice analyses for the armed forces of the United States and allied nations, U.S. government agencies, and the private sector.

For more information, please contact:
National Ice Center
Naval Ice Center
Liaison Branch
Voice: 301-394-3100
E-mail: liaison@natice.noaa.gov