Nordenskjöld Glacier

Nordenskjöld Glacier is a large ice system on South Georgia's east coast that stretches northward and terminates in a steep wall of ice at Cumberland East Bay. This ice face meets the Southern Ocean's cold waters, creating a dramatic boundary where the frozen mass meets the sea.

Swedish researchers first mapped this glacier in detail during the early 1900s while conducting scientific investigations of South Georgia. These early records allowed later generations to track changes to the glacier over time.

Scientists regularly monitor this glacier to gather data about climate patterns and environmental changes affecting the South Atlantic region.

Expedition vessels approach the glacier between November and March when weather conditions allow viewing of the ice face. The best views of the ice occur typically from a boat at some distance from the wall.

As the glacier moves, geological layers and sediment deposits become visible, offering scientists insight into past climate patterns. This natural record allows researchers to understand how conditions changed over thousands of years.