'Spectacular' icebergs on the Northern Peninsula

Newfoundland and Labrador's northeast tip is seeing a lot of iceberg action this year.

While the past few years have been good for iceberg viewing on average there are eight to 12 bergs in sight during this time of year this year there are more than 20 within 10 miles, according toPaulAlcock, head interpreter and local naturalist at Northland Discovery.

"They're quite spectacular icebergs," Alcocktold CBC Radio'sTheCorner Brook Morning Show,noting that some of the bergs stand120-150 feet tall and 300 feet wide.

One tabular, or flat, iceberg in particular is 70 feet high and about 700 feet long.Alcock said it's one of the longest he's seen pass through the area.

"And with tabular icebergs often you see waterfalls pouring over the edges," he said.

Tabular icebergs are flat on the top and have a gentle slope, heexplained. They form little rivers which begin to melt and form waterfalls.

"It's just a beautiful scene as you steam around the iceberg and see those waterfalls just pouring off the iceberg. It's quite amazing."

By land is nothing compared to by water

While seeing icebergs from land can be an impressive sight, Alcock says it's nothing compared to getting up close and personal.

"When you get out by boat you can not only see the waterfalls and the deep, blue lines, you can hear the waves pounding against the ice, you hear the pops and cracks going through the ice," he said.

"It's an entirely different experience altogether," he said.

Alcockused an analogy to help convey his point.

"If you watch your favourite NHL hockey team in the playoffs,you're excited [when] you watch it on TV.But if you're there live in person [the excitement] is10-fold."