For ages now, we have been fascinated by the unusual and almost alien land that surrounds the South Pole. And men have braved all challenges to explore its surreal and dangerous terrain. Yet, even today Antarctica holds a magic and charm that is unlike any other place on the planet.

While a journey down south to this land of chilling winds and eternal ice is comparatively safer today, it is by no means a cake walk. All the technology in the world will not guarantee you anything in this harsh outback. So brace yourself as we take you through a rare, less traveled and visually grand tour through the top 10 glaciers of Antarctica…

Beardmore Glacier

The visually enchanting and colorful Beardmore Glacier is not just one of the biggest glaciers in Antarctica, but ranks among the top in the entire world in terms of its sheer size. Do not be fooled by its ice cream-like looks as it can be as deadly as it appears beautiful. Discovered in 1911-1912 by Captain Scott and his team, the glacier was the reason that Scott slowed down, which led to Amundsen winning the race to the pole.

Spreading well over 160 km, this is no run of the mill glacier that you see in the mountain chains; this one is an Antarctic special.

Images by augustallen and asoc

Erebus Ice Tongue

A mountain outlet glacier that projects 11-12 km into McMurdo Sound from the Ross Island coastline near Cape Evan, this unusual tongue like structure is fascinating and has interested explorers for decades. The Erebus Ice Tongue is about 10 meters high and its formed glacier ice stream flows rapidly into the sea, creating the mystical tongue that is home to the planet’s most spectacular ice caves.

Expeditions to the depths of these stunning blue creations have thrown up pictures that look out of the world. In short, here is one glacier that is a photographer’s nirvana.

Images by Wikipedia (1+2)

Axel Heiberg Glacier

Discovered in November 1911 by Captain Amundsen, this is a glacier of significant historical importance as it was one of the reasons for Amundsen’s victory on his race to the South Pole. The sights of this 48 km glacier valley are chilling, often inhospitable and descending from the polar plateau to the Ross Ice Shelf, the glacier’s imposing presence is unmistakable.

Etched in history forever, you will have to brave some harsh weather to actually get here.

Images by bluecanoe & wikipedia

Canada Glacier

The Canada Glacier might pale in comparison to the Beardmore in magnitude, might have far less sights to offer compared to Erebus and might not be as harsh as Axel Heiberg, but that is what makes this small polar glacier, flowing southeast into the northern side of Taylor Valley in Victoria Land, so special.

The glacier’s edge has been a center for scientific studies because the conditions here for a few months of the year are far more generous than in the deep heart of the main island. The sights and sounds here are far livelier than at any other spot.

Images by mterebus & wikipedia

Crescent Glacier

Staying with Taylor Valley in the Victoria part of Antarctica, Crescent Glacier is as beautiful as the name indicates. When watched from across the Lake Fryxell, not too far away from the Glacier, it presents a vividly attractive and sensuously shaped crescent for your viewing pleasure.

The Alpine glacier has been studied extensively for its geological significance and its one-of-a-kind picture perfect curves will woo any tourist to stop and take a closer look. The view of Lake Fryxell and the glacier is well worth the journey.

Image by wikipedia

Harker Glacier

We continue our journey towards a whole different kind of wonder with Harker, which is a tidewater glacier on South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

Hawker has over the decades advanced further into the bay due to warming conditions, but still remains the most impressive and grand glacier on the eastern side of Cumberland Bay. The pleasing blend of white and dark sea blue, force you to believe that nature has painted one of its most appealing work on the planet’s canvas!

Image by Wikipedia

Koettlitz Glacier

Discovered by British National Antarctic Expedition in 1901 and located west of Mount Morning and Mount Discovery, the impressive and surreal glacier of Koettlitz, floors you with its sheets of ice that look more akin to waves that are ready to hit the beach. The best view of this huge glacier is obviously aerial and once you take a look, you will be hooked to the splendor and the vastness of the striking landscape.

Image by Wikipedia

Wulfila Glacier

Though not very well known or very popular, this 3 km wide glacier located on Greenwich Island offers you plenty of picture perfect snap shots in its small area. The fact that this is not as large as the other glaciers should not make you feel any less excited as its refreshing presence offers you a multitude of sight and sounds to savor. Definitely worth a stop on our journey.

Image Wikipedia

Glacier David and Drygalski Ice Tongue

David Glacier is known for its imposing presence on the Victoria Land, and its well-known Drygalski Ice Tongue is a feature that has kept this enormous glacier in the limelight.

Part of its famous ice tongue was smashed into the sea due to a collision with an iceberg in 2005, leaving several penguin colonies on the broken shelves stranded in the sea.

Images by Wikipedia (1+2) and augustallen

Lambert Glacier

Stretching over 60 miles wide, over 250 miles long and about 2,500 meters deep, here’s the big daddy of all the glaciers on the planet. Holder of Guinness World record for being the world’s biggest glacier, the entire giant is actually visible from space wide and clear! First delineated and named in 1952 by American geographer John H. Roscoe, the glacier stands as a symbol of the grand majesty and unrivaled magnificence of this extraordinary continent that Antarctica truly is.

Image by Wikipedia

Travel to Antarctica has grown in the last decade, and while some are rightly concerned about implications of growing tourism in the region, responsible visitors should be always welcome. Treading deep into its frozen heart is still a challenge though as we stand in admiration of the great glaciers standing tall in a timeless land.

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