Icebergs: Their Physical Dimensions and the Presentation and Application of Measured Data

Abstract

A knowledge of the dimensional characteristics of icebergs off the east coast of Canada is required for both scientific and engineering purposes. To fulfil this need, hydrocarbon exploration in the region has been supported by a program aimed at collecting morphometric data on icebergs, in addition to providing operational support for activities such as ice-berg towing, this program has yielded information which will be useful for the engineering design of offshore structures. Functional relationships between the dimensions of icebergs are presented and ratios between the linear dimensions are examined. These ratios are used to calculate preliminary values for draft and mass on the Grand Banks and are demonstrated to give reasonable values for draft of icebergs off Greenland.