The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi

Figure 3.3.3. Average sea ice
extent as percentage ice cover in
West Greenland waters based on
data in the period 1979-2007
(medio March). Blue colours
indicate highest percentage ice
cover while red indicates lowest
percentage cover. White has no
data value. ’High’ ice cover is
encountered west of Disko Island
while low ice cover is found south
of Sisimiut in March (Data
sources: Ocean and Sea ice
(EUMETSAT).
75°N
70°N
70°W
80°W
Average sea ice extent
(medio march 1979-2007)
65°N
Percent ice cover
0 - 3
4 - 13
14 - 29
30 - 45
46 - 61
62 - 77
78 - 88
89 - 94
95 - 100
Assessment area
0 150 300 Km
60°N
70°W
The process of calving from the front of a glacier produces an infinite variety
of icebergs, bergy bits and growlers. Icebergs are described by their size according
to the following classification:
Type Height (m, above sea level) Length (m)
growler less than 1 up to 5
bergy bit 1 to 5 5 to 15
small iceberg 5 to 15 15 to 60
medium iceberg 16 to 45 61 to 120
large iceberg 46 to 75 121 to 200
very large iceberg Over 75 Over 200
The production of icebergs on a volumetric basis varies only slightly from
year to year. Once calving has been accomplished, meteorological and
oceanographic factors begin to affect the icebergs. Icebergs are carried by sea
currents directed by the integrated average of the water motion over the
60°W
60°W
50°W
50°W
40°W
75°N
70°N
65°N
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