Difference between revisions of "Template:POTD protected"

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The '''[[humpback whale]]''' is a species of baleen whale with a distinctive body shape. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular with whale watchers. Males produce a complex song lasting 10 to 20 minutes, which they repeat for hours at a time. Its purpose is not clear, though it may have a role in mating.
An '''[[iceberg]]''' is a large piece of freshwater [[ice]] that has broken off a [[glacier]] or an [[Ice-shelf|ice shelf]] and is floating freely in open water. It may subsequently become frozen into [[pack ice]] (one form of sea ice). As it drifts into shallower waters, it may come into contact with the seabed, a process referred to as seabed gouging by ice. About 90% of an iceberg is below the surface of the water.


Found in oceans and seas around the world, humpback whales typically migrate up to 25,000 km (16,000 mi) each year. Humpbacks feed in [[Southern Ocean|polar waters]], and migrate to tropical or subtropical waters to breed and give birth when they fast and live off their fat reserves. Their diet consists mostly of [[krill]] and small fish.
In addition to size classification, icebergs can be classified on the basis of their shape. The two basic types of iceberg forms are tabular and non-tabular. Tabular icebergs have steep sides and a flat top, much like a plateau, with a length-to-height ratio of more than 5:1. This type of iceberg, also known as an ice island, can be quite large, as in the case of Pobeda Ice Island. [[Antarctic]] icebergs formed by breaking off from an [[ice-shelf|ice shelf]], such as the [[Ross Ice Shelf]] or [[Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf]], are typically tabular. The largest icebergs in the world are formed this way.


Like other large whales, the humpback was a target for the [[whaling]] industry. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, its population fell by an estimated 90% before a 1966 moratorium. While stocks have partially recovered, entanglement in fishing gear, collisions with ships and noise pollution continue to impact the population of 80,000.
<p><small>Photographer: Andrew Shiva</small></p>
 
<p><small>Photographer: NOAA Photographer</small></p>
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[[:Category:Images|'''(More Featured Images)''']]
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Revision as of 04:09, 4 December 2018

Antarctic Sound-2016-Iceberg 02.jpg

An iceberg is a large piece of freshwater ice that has broken off a glacier or an ice shelf and is floating freely in open water. It may subsequently become frozen into pack ice (one form of sea ice). As it drifts into shallower waters, it may come into contact with the seabed, a process referred to as seabed gouging by ice. About 90% of an iceberg is below the surface of the water.

In addition to size classification, icebergs can be classified on the basis of their shape. The two basic types of iceberg forms are tabular and non-tabular. Tabular icebergs have steep sides and a flat top, much like a plateau, with a length-to-height ratio of more than 5:1. This type of iceberg, also known as an ice island, can be quite large, as in the case of Pobeda Ice Island. Antarctic icebergs formed by breaking off from an ice shelf, such as the Ross Ice Shelf or Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, are typically tabular. The largest icebergs in the world are formed this way.

Photographer: Andrew Shiva

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