June 16, 2003, Washington D.C.-- The National Ice Center (NIC) confirms that two new icebergs have recently calved from Iceberg C-19A (Figure 1) in the Ross Sea north of Victoria Land. The new icebergs are named C-19C and C-19D. C-19C is currently located near 69.8S 166.3E, measuring 13NM X 20NM. C-19D is currently located near 69.8S 165.3E, and measures 10NM X 13NM. Mr. Jeff Andrews, a NIC senior Ice Analyst/Ice Forecaster, confirmed the calving of C-19C and C-19D using the satellite image shown from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Infrared sensor. C-19B had previously calved from C-19A approximately five weeks earlier on May 9, 2003.

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

When an iceberg is first sighted, NIC documents its point of origin. The letter of the quadrant, along with a sequential number is assigned to the iceberg. For example, C-19 is sequentially the 19th iceberg tracked by the NIC in Antarctica between 180-90E (Quadrant C).

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
voice: 301-394-3063
e-mail: liaison@natice.noaa.gov