Huge grotto found under Norwegian glacier

[bananas]

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2204644.ece

(photos)

Huge grotto found under Norwegian glacier
Large quantities of water from melting ice have created what researchers
are calling a "sensational" grotto under one of Norway's major glaciers.

<snip>

Its opening is around five meters high and inside is the grotto, which he said measures about eight meters high, 20-30 meters deep and around 20 meters wide.

He described the ice grotto as "fantastic," with "extremely blue" colors and large icicles hanging from its ceiling. "But it's changing from day to day," he said, noting that ice is a "moving phenomenon."

The grotto is believed to have been created by rising temperatures. "It's the running water under the ice that has made the ice over it melt," noted Kjærvik.

Glacier researcher Atle Nesje said the creation of such large ice grottos can be tied to a steadily warmer climate. Melting ice digs tunnels that are then expanded by warm air streams.

<snip>

[Atman]

1. Call me when the find the grotto full of Norwegian Playboy Bunnies.

:hi:

.

[ORDagnabbit]

2. we used to have stuff like that on Mt. Rainier they were called ice caves...they're all melted now

[depakid]

3. Yep- Paradise ice caves

They were almost otherworldly- with precisely the sorts of vivid blues described in the OP.

They've been gone since somewhere around the mid-1980's, as Paradise glacier has receded up the mountain.



There's also an impressive cave system in and around the summit crater, formed by steam emanating from the volcano.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/1012/story/174171.html

Bit of a hike to get there, though....;)