HUGE FALL OF ICE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30938, 20 December 1965, Page 1

HUGE FALL OF ICE

Early-Morning Roar At Franz (New tMldnd Pr«»« Association) HOKITIKA, Dec. 19. The greatest ice fall in memory occurred at the Franz Josef Glacier this morning when hundreds of thou* sands of tons of ice crashed off the terminal face of the glacier. Several residents of the township heard a thunderous roar about 6 ajn. and it is believed the ice broke away at the time.

The chief ranger of the Westland National Park, Mr G. E. Nicholls, found the road to the glacier had been washed away and for two miles to the glacier a huge pile of ice extended over the Waiho riverbed and up to the bush. Later, Mr Nicholls took off from the Franz Josef airfield to make an aerial inspection with the chief guide, Mr P. McCormack, and another guide, Mr P. Graham. They found an enormous area of the southern part of the terminal face had broken off. The river, which runs from the glacier face to the sea, was full of huge pieces of ice and the banks of the river are covered with large mounds of ice. Mr Nicholls said these would remain for some weeks. Mr McCormack said it was the biggest ice fall ever in South Westland glaciers. He estimated the quantity of ice which fell as 1000. feet long by 100 feet wide and about 300 feet deep. Some of the blocks of ice were half the size of a motor-car.

The .road to the glacier from the Main South highway is blocked, but is expected to be re-opened tomorrow. Those most affected were a tourist and her two small daughters, who were camped in a caravan at the end of the road to the glacier in the Waiho gorge. The woman did not hear the noise of the ice fall, but tried to return to the highway and found her way blocked by ice this morning. The larger icefield is visible from the township right to the glacier face. The riverbed from the car park to the terminal has changed considerably and has risen greatly in height The access track from the park has also been obliterated and work on a new track will start tomorrow. Rainfall at Frans Joeef on Thursday was 7.31 n and more than 3in fell on Wednesday. Rain fell right up to the main divide and the water flowing beneath the glacier was one reason given by Mr Nicholls for the erosion. Another reason was that the tremendous advance of the glacier has carried it past the bigger waterfall, which also poured water under the glacier.