Analysis of the recorded data on the drift of icebergs

Abstract

The basic problem of sightings of icebergs off Newfoundland and Labrador coasts has been of special interest because of the sinking of the Titanic and hazards icebergs present to the North Atlantic Shipping. Drifting icebergs pose a serious problem to those who search for hydrocarbons on Canada's eastern continental shelf. In view of the extension of the hazard to oil exploration activities, it is important to investigate the possibility of improvement in the present techniques of collecting data on the drifts of icebergs by the International Ice Patrol. -- A kinematic model has been developed to analyse the drifts of icebergs. In this model, the berg velocity is expressed as a function of the resultant surface current velocity averaged over the draft of an iceberg. An analysis of the data on the sightings of icebergs in successive locations published by the International Ice Patrol for the period 1950 - 56 has been made. Suggested improvements in the reports of sightings of icebergs based on the analysis are: -- 1. First order approximation of the draft. -- 2. Precise locations of icebergs in degrees, minutes and seconds. -- 3. Timings of successive sightings of icebergs. -- 4. Estimation of errors in locating icebergs and positioning the observation vessels. -- 5. Detailed measurements of ocean currents. -- 6. Data for tidal currents. -- With these improvements in data collection and more rigorous analysis, a closer correlation between the computed and observed drifts of icebergs can be obtained. The knowledge gained can be useful in mitigating the severity of their hazards.