Canada has got a new tourist attraction, and tourists are flocking to the town of Ferryland to see the behemoth iceberg that has grounded just off shore.
The town has a prime view of “Iceberg Alley” – so called because from spring to September, icebergs regularly break off in the Arctic and float down past the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Over 600 have already floated into the North Atlantic this year, compared to a total of 687 over the whole season. Experts believe that this year’s bumper crop is down to strong counter-clockwise winds, as well as global warming.
Larger in size than the one that sank the Titanic, the iceberg has sailed up to the coast, measuring some 150ft tall.
Icebergs don’t normally drift through the passage until May or June but there have been many early arrivals this year, all the way from the Arctic.
Although most of the icebergs pass happily down the coast, Ferryland’s new visitor appears to be grounded. And while the coast alongside it was packed over the weekend,if, as predicted, it sticks around, the number of visitors is expected to grow.
Ferryland’s tiny population of 500 has already received an influx of tourists flocking to see the striking new sight, with many more on the way.
Meanwhile, Ferryland is bracing for more visitors – and also more icebergs. According to Mayor Adrian Kavanagh, there are up to six “big” ones in the distance that could make their way down if winds pick up.
