Image of Week: Blue Ice in East Antarctica

Blue ice area in front of the northernmost part of the Heimefrontfjella, East Antarctica. Credit: N. B. Karlsson

The blue ice areas of Antarctica are one of the most fascinating parts of the ice sheet. In these regions, snowfall is so low that the ice is laid bare by the wind and consequently sublimates. This exposes beautiful, blue ice surfaces, like an ocean frozen in time. This picture was taken at a site named “Windy Corner” by the Kottas Mountains, in the northernmost part of the Heimefrontfjella, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica.

Map of Antarctica showing the ice sheet (grey), ice shelves (dark grey) and known blue ice areas in blue. Credit: Quantarctica Database, Norwegian Polar Institute.

You can also read about an expedition to another blue ice area on our blog.

Edited by Sophie Berger and Emma Smith