How Ice Moves from Greenland to Newfoundland
Overview
Iceberg Alley is not random. It is a structured drift corridor governed by current alignment, wind forcing, and coastal geometry.
From origin to arrival, iceberg movement follows a repeatable but highly reactive pathway.
Primary Drift Pathway
Stage 1: Greenland Discharge
Icebergs calve from glaciers along Greenland’s west coast
Enter Baffin Bay and begin southward migration
Stage 2: Baffin to Labrador Transition
Ice funnels through Davis Strait
Joins the Labrador Current along the Labrador Shelf
Stage 3: Labrador Sea Transport
Ice accelerates southbound
Begins clustering based on current velocity and wind conditions
Stage 4: Newfoundland Approach
Ice reaches the northeastern coast of Newfoundland
Interaction with coastline determines final behavior
Drift Behavior Types
Linear Drift
Strong current, low wind disruption
Ice travels efficiently south
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