There is growing evidence that the glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula are retreating and ice shelves are collapsing. Despite the dramatic conclusion drawn about humans causing global warming, the glaciers around the Antarctic Peninsula have been retreating (and advancing) for the last 20,000 years. Elsewhere in Antarctica, new studies suggest the ice sheet is thickening as global warming causes more precipitation over the continental ice sheet.

Rough coastline
South Georgia, East coast

Although South Georgia lies within the Antarctic convergence, it lies north of continental Antarctica. Glaciers can be found here in all stages of both advancing and retreating, depending on the prevailing conditions on the coastline. The western coast (not pictured) is much more rugged and ice-covered, receiving the full brunt of the cold Antarctic storms.

Frozen river
Elephant Island

This dramatic picture captures the sheer majestic power of a glacier flowing slowlybehind this rocky prominance. A few chinstraps moult, unaware of the awesome power slowly creeping by the them.

Arrow
Brown Bluff

This valley glacier hadn't melted, despite all the snow on the adjacent rocky slopes melting. The calm waters create a perfect mirror reflection, not unlike one of Bev Dolittle's famous paintings (I recommend everyone look up her incredible work of creating animal images from patterns in nature!)

Petval glacier
Paradise Bay

The Petval Glacier is an extremely active glacier, and usually when the zodiac engines are turned off, this glacier can be heard cracking and snapping like two boards of wood slammed together. At the waters edge, the glacier is shattered into toweing and perilous-looking seracs. No two visits to this snarling glacier reveal the same glacier face...

Blue window
Un-named glacier in Flandres Bay

A blue 'vein' provides an glimspe of the deep blue interior of this glacier tongue. At some time, the glacier probably melted along a point of weakness, then refroze, resulting in this blue window.

Hotine glacier
Lemaire Channel

Half way down the Lemaire Channel, the eastern side suddenly gives way to a wide bay with the Hotine Glacier at the back, fed by several ice tributaries.

Leay Glacier
Lemaire Channel

Several glaciers pour into the Leay Glacier at the southern end of the Lemaire Channel. The end result is a massive ice apron at the foot of the mountains.