Amalia Glacier (also known as Skua Glacier), Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Our first panoramic view of Amalia Glacier, also known as Skua Glacier, from our Zodiac inflatable boat, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Amalia Glacier, also known as Skua Glacier, is a tidewater glacier located in Bernardo O’Higgins Narional Park on the edge of the Sarmiento Channel.  The glacier originates in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.  From 1945 to 1986, its terminus retreated 4.3 miles (7 km), being, along with the recession of the O’Higgins Glacier, the most dramatic retreat of the glaciers of the mentioned icefield during that period.” —Wikipedia

The ice looks blue on a section of Amalia (or Skua) Glacier, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

For answers to the question, “Why is glacier ice blue?”, see our previous blog post on the Pio XI Glacier.

The weather has sculpted the surface of Amalia (or Skua) Glacier, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Glacial ice sculptures carved on the top of Amalia (or Skua) Glacier, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Calving (a large portion of a glacier breaking away and falling) at Amalia (or Skua) Glacier, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Nearly frozen ocean, icebergs, and “cliffs” at the face of Amalia (or Skua) Glacier, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

The glacier (solid ice and snow) literally flowing down into the Pacific Ocean; Amalia (or Skua) Glacier, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile

 

Rock islands with vegetation and ice floes, seen from the Zodiac as we headed back to the ship from Amalia (or Skua) Glacier, Amalia Sound, Bernardo O´Higgins National Park, Patagonia, Chile