The Black Icebergs' Enigma: Nature's Time Capsules

Picture it—you're out on the coast of Labrador in the water, anticipating seeing the usual icebergs passing by, all blues and whites. And then you see something completely different. It's black, towering in the distance like a ghost above the water. If you've never seen one, you'll think maybe it's a mirage, but no chance—that's a black iceberg, one of nature's most significant anomalies.

What's the Deal with Black Icebergs?

Most icebergs are white and reflective because they're made of compacted snow and ice. Black icebergs, though? They tell a much older story. As glaciers move over Greenland, they collect all kinds of ancient debris, volcanic ash, and anything else lying around. Sometimes, an iceberg develops with so much detritus inside it that it gets all black like it's covered in the scars of time.

The recently observed black iceberg off the Labrador coast could be over 100,000 years old! According to some scientists, black icebergs can have volcanic debris or contain soot from prehistoric fires.

Icebergs Aren't White Only!

• Black icebergs are not the only ones which break the rule. Icebergs can be coloured, and every colour has an interesting past story behind it:

• Blue Icebergs Are formed when ice is squeezed tightly, which forces air bubbles out of them. They reflect short wavelengths of light, making them appear blue.

• Green Icebergs: They might have iron-rich sediments or frozen seawater containing organic matter, which gives them a greenish colour.

• Yellow Icebergs are possible when dead plankton or iron oxides become part of the ice, giving it a golden or yellowish-brown colour.

• Striped Icebergs: Some icebergs have stripes of colour because parts of the glacier melt and refreeze or where seawater pours in through cracks and freezes. They may be blue, black, or even multi-coloured. Each iceberg is a "product of nature” formed by time, pressure, and surroundings.

Why Are Black Icebergs So Rare?

Black icebergs are as rare as could be. They don't sparkle like normal icebergs, so they're much harder to spot, especially in the dark. Mariners have been gossiping about eerie "black ice" lurking in the water for centuries, unseen and all but impossible to predict.

The black iceberg off Labrador was also diamond-shaped, making it even more captivating. On social media, some joked that it was an oil berg. Whatever the explanation, viewing one is something you will never forget.