Tasman Glacier, New Zealand

Glaciers in the southern hemisphere are of particular interest in the context of this study, since boulders are expected to migrate north, rather than south as they do in northern temperate latitudes. So far, we have only very few photos supporting this hypothesis. Other images of glacier tables from New Zealand, Chile or Argentina would be most welcome.

Massive boulder on lower Tasman Glacier, New Zealand (photo 29.1.2008, Heather Purdie, University of Canterbury, New Zealand). Although the boulder is located in an area of mostly debris-covered ice, it has formed a classical glacier table with an ice pedestal several metres high. The boulder is clearly leaning towards the left, i.e. north, towards the direction of maximum incoming solar radiation.

This image may seem unspectacular in the context of migrating boulders. However, upon closer inspection, it appears that many boulders behind the tent are tilted towards the left and away from the camera. In addition, some minor ice tails seem to extend from some boulders towards the right and the camera. The mountain in the centre is De La Beche, indicating the NNE direction. Therefore, the boulders seem to move towards the north or northwest, in relation to the glacier ice (photo courtesy Heather Purdie, University of Canterbury, New Zealand).