#pining for the fjords

[ao3cassandraic]

The US House of Representatives will not be voting on KOSA. Let's take the win, folks!

It'll be back; this kind of bad-penny idea always is. BUT THIS TIME WE KILLED IT. Go team us!

[wehaveallgotknives]

year nine drama have discovered monty python.

[beastlycheese]

Quick survey

Do you have a name for your cock/puss?

No shaming, tell me on anon and I will choose my favourite.

Or is it just me? Am I the only weirdo who likes to name every cock I have the pleasure of knowing?

[markscherz]

Nothing quite like the feathers of the blue bird of paradise, Paradisornis rudolphi, which hangs upside down and makes perhaps the most science-fiction sounds of any animal I know. Every chance I get I like to look at the birds of paradise in our ornithology collections at the Natural History Museum Denmark, and marvel at their beauty.

[baejax-the-great]

I hate the tiktokification of mental illness so much. Like the other day I could not remember a simple word and it was making me crazy, so I look up "word for when you can't stop thinking about someone." The results were "anxious attachment style" and "how to prevent intrusive thoughts" and just all kinds of fucking pop psych jargon.

I was looking for the word 'pining'.

[mikailborg]

"Our researches into the business practices of 20th-century humans have not uncovered how this man expected to get away with selling a deceased avian as a household pet, but we gather it was an unusual practice; the recorded irate complaints of the customer demonstrate this clearly."

If you want a good object lesson about what we can and can't know about the past, we don't know Ea-Nasir was a dishonest merchant selling shoddy goods.

What we know is we have found a cache of complaint tablets about him selling low quality copper as high quality, in a site that was probably his own residence. We know multiple people complained he was a cheat. It's entirely possible they were right. It's also entirely possible that he kept these complaint letters as records of people he would no longer do business with, because they had made accusations and threats in order to bully him into giving them free copper. That is an equally valid interpretation of the evidence.

My point is not that we have maligned Ea-Nasir, my point is that thousands of years later, we do not and cannot know.

[nostalgia-tblr]

Happy Thorsday (& Fratricide Friday Eve)

[shittyvampire]

fjord

fjord pines

[hartshorn-and-isinglass]

*desperately trying not to laugh out loud*

Spouse came back from running errands with a pot of cat grass for Beeps. The problem is-

"Uh. That grass is dead."

"No it's not, it's just wilted."

"Dude, no. That grass is dead."

"It's still green!"

"It's green but it's dead."

"Well, it was the best-looking one of a sad bunch."

"Okay, but... you didn't have to buy dead cat grass."

"It's not dead!"

Much consternation ensues. Then there is a pause.

"How do you know it's dead?" he asks.

"Look at it. It's not wilted, it's completely desiccated."

"But how can you tell."

"Feel it! It's brittle!"

He picks up the pot and feels the grass in it. "The very bottom part is still flexible."

"Not for long, it isn't."

"It just needs some water!"

I sigh. "I mean, if you really want to give it a soak and see-"

"YES. I WILL DO THAT."

The pot of cat grass is now soaking in a bowl of water. I'm... I'm just gonna let this go, for both our sakes. But I wasn't expecting to step into a Monty Python sketch this afternoon...

[jeanjauthor]

I have been fighting to get my health insurance company to pay for my continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) because it's been proven for two years that these things are medically necessary. I've even had to escalate tickets multiple times every few months, because every few months it's the same damned BS.

In fact, the latest BS was "somehow our computer system is refusing to make the payment go through to the pharmacy!!" as stated by a supervisor when I escalated the call two weeks ago. As if there was no way for them to force it through manually.

Well, that was on a Friday, and the following Monday I was going to keep calling in, and keep calling in--squeaky wheel gets the grease, or gets them to say something on a known recorded line that's a lie. Alas, my life got a little hectic the last two weeks, but I finally had time to go home today and get on the phone to argue--yet again--that my CGMs are medically necessary. And this time, I even had two (2) Low Blood Sugar Events, which are the biggest reason WHY these CGMs are considered medically necessary.

However, it was very very odd that they hadn't done anything for over a week, right? Except...

I got a notification from my pharmacy that an Rx had been filled. I go in to pick it up, not sure which one it's supposed to be...

...and it's my CGMs for the next 4 weeks, finally paid for and everything. (They last 14 days and hand 'em out in 2-packs.)

A computer problem they could have manually overridden two weeks ago was FINALLY somehow "miraculously" fixed!

***

Feel free to use that pic up there. Meme the hell outta it!

[theletterwsarseflap]

The dead parrot skit doesn’t exist so people can use the term “unalive” 😠

[katblu42]

Or just everything from the Monty Python sketch about the Norwegian Blue.

'E's passed on! This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of life, 'e rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed 'im to the perch 'e'd be pushing up the daisies! 'Is metabolic processes are now 'istory! 'E's off the twig! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisibile! THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!

Things you can stay instead of "k1lled", "murked" or "unalived":

involuntarily converted to room temperature

cancelled on a corporeal level

successfully transitioned into fertiliser

rendered permanently horizontal

sent to investigate the potential existence of an afterlife

[gurggggleburgle]

People out here assuming because I cracked my egg on Wei Wuxian I want to come out of boiler looking like a skinny gender ambiguous femboy scene kid with great hair but what I actually want is to be big strong dude with long fabulous hair Ala Lan Zhan and Mobei-Jun. Unfortunately I know what the men in my family look like and I'm coming out of this a fucking twink in all likelihood

[adomainname]

Glacier Calving: The Powerful Force Behind Massive Waves and Climate Change Insights

Glaciers, those monumental rivers of ice flowing from high mountain peaks and polar regions, are not only stunningly beautiful but also hold incredible, often unpredictable power. Among the most captivating and intense events involving glaciers is glacier calving—a natural process where enormous ice chunks break away from a glacier’s edge and crash into surrounding water. This dramatic phenomenon not only creates an unforgettable visual display but also generates massive waves. In this article, we’ll explore glacier calving, what causes it, the powerful waves it creates, and the broader implications for ecosystems, human activity, and climate science.

What is Glacier Calving?

Definition: What is Glacier Calving?

Glacier calving is the process where large pieces of ice detach from a glacier's edge and fall into the adjacent water. These ice chunks vary in size, from small pieces to massive blocks as large as multi-story buildings. Calving is a powerful and visually spectacular event that can produce waves felt miles away.

Where Does Glacier Calving Occur?

Calving occurs most frequently at the terminus (the end) of glaciers that extend into bodies of water like lakes, oceans, or fjords. It’s most common in polar regions, such as Greenland and Antarctica, where glaciers meet the sea. These environments allow ice chunks to break off and fall into the water, forming waves that can be incredibly powerful and far-reaching.

How Does Glacier Calving Happen?

Calving happens due to the natural movement of glaciers. As a glacier moves forward, driven by gravity, the ice at its edge becomes thinner and fractures. Over time, these fractures deepen, eventually causing large chunks of ice to break away. The forward motion pushes these ice chunks towards bodies of water, where they drop, creating an impactful and sudden splash.

The Science Behind Glacier Calving and Wave Formation

Ice Dynamics and Fracture Mechanics

The constant advance of glaciers creates stress along their edges, leading to cracks and fractures in the ice. When the ice reaches a critical fracture point, large sections break off. This detachment causes sudden displacement as the ice hits the water, creating waves that can be extremely powerful.

How Does Glacier Calving Generate Waves?

When an ice chunk detaches and crashes into the water, it displaces the water around it, creating a splash and powerful shockwaves. The size and intensity of the resulting wave depend on the size of the ice chunk. Larger ice pieces create more significant waves, capable of traveling far distances.

Wave Propagation in Glacier Fjords and Bays

Once a calving event occurs, the waves created by the impact move outward from the point of collision. In confined areas, like fjords or bays, these waves can be particularly intense. They bounce off rock walls, sometimes becoming even larger and more forceful, and can travel for kilometers, posing a danger to anything in their path.

The Impact of Calving Waves on Ecosystems and Human Activity

Environmental Impact: How Calving Waves Affect Marine Ecosystems

Calving waves can have a significant effect on local ecosystems. The waves stir up the seabed, displacing marine organisms and disturbing habitats. Over time, repeated calving events can also erode coastal areas, affecting both flora and fauna in the surrounding environment.

Human Implications: Why Calving Waves Are Dangerous

For people living in or near glacier regions, calving waves can pose severe risks. Fishing vessels, research ships, and tourist boats are especially vulnerable, as calving waves have capsized boats and caused substantial damage in the past. Coastal communities near glaciers or fjords may also feel the impact of these waves, making it important for ships and local authorities to remain vigilant.

Climate Change and Glacier Calving: A Connection with Global Implications

Climate change is accelerating glacier calving worldwide. Rising temperatures cause glaciers to melt and thin, making them more prone to calving events. This not only increases the frequency of calving but also contributes to global sea level rise as more ice melts and enters the ocean. Areas like Greenland and Antarctica, where calving is occurring at unprecedented rates, are contributing significantly to rising seas—a growing concern for coastal cities and communities worldwide.

Notable Glacier Calving Events and Their Massive Waves

To understand the sheer power of glacier calving, let’s look at some notable glaciers known for their spectacular calving events.

Jakobshavn Glacier, Greenland: One of the fastest-moving glaciers globally, Jakobshavn has witnessed some of the largest calving events on record. Chunks of ice as large as skyscrapers break off, creating waves that can be felt miles away.

Hubbard Glacier, Alaska: This Alaskan glacier is known for periodic large calving events that generate waves affecting cruise ships and other vessels in nearby fjords. This glacier’s movements attract scientists and tourists alike, both drawn by its power and potential risks.

Pine Island Glacier, Antarctica: As a significant contributor to ice loss in Antarctica, Pine Island Glacier’s calving events are substantial enough to be detected by seismometers thousands of miles away, showcasing the global scale of calving’s impact.

Fascination and Caution: Observing Glacier Calving Events

The Appeal of Glacier Tourism

For many tourists, witnessing a glacier calving event is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The intense sound—often compared to a thunderous "crack" or "roar"—followed by a massive splash and radiating waves, creates a powerful, memorable scene. Locations such as Alaska, Greenland, and certain parts of Antarctica are popular destinations for this reason.

Safety Precautions for Viewing Glacier Calving Events

Despite their allure, calving events are highly unpredictable, and the waves they generate can be dangerous. Tourism operators and guides near glaciers must take strict precautions, maintaining safe distances from glaciers to ensure the safety of visitors. Special care is necessary for boats, as the waves can capsize small vessels that venture too close.

The Future of Glacier Calving and Its Impact on Sea Level Rise

As climate change continues to increase global temperatures, glaciers worldwide are expected to retreat and calve more frequently. This trend not only raises the likelihood of dangerous waves but also leads to long-term impacts, such as accelerated sea-level rise. Glacier calving events remind us of the urgent need to address climate change and mitigate its effects on our planet’s natural systems.

Conclusion: Glacier Calving as a Reminder of Nature’s Power

In summary, glacier calving is a breathtaking natural event and a powerful force with significant environmental, social, and scientific implications. From the thunderous crash of falling ice to the waves that ripple across fjords and bays, glacier calving captivates us while serving as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of Earth’s natural systems. As climate change continues to reshape our world, glacier calving highlights the need to understand and preserve these fragile ice giants that are vital to our planet’s health and future.

By understanding glacier calving, its causes, and its consequences, we not only gain insight into one of nature’s most spectacular displays but also increase our awareness of the urgent climate issues facing our planet today.

Go To The Power of Glacier Calving

[quillyfied]

…It’s been a few years now since I finally sat down and watched all of Monty Python (and all the specials I could get my hands on, though curiously not all the films, idk why), and since it’s become sort of a yearly thing for me to rewatch, and somehow it’s only this morning that it occurs to me the sheer ridiculousness of a parrot being called the Norwegian Blue, because why would there be native parrots, notoriously tropical birds, in Scandinavia?

[lobsterxentaros]

Lobster

Lobster - Lucie van Dam van Isselt

Dutch , 1871-1940

Oil on panel , 45 x 38 cm.