An iceberg is a floating mass of freshwater ice detached from a land-based glacier or ice shelf. Archimedes' principle fixes its displaced-water volume from its mass; most of a typical iceberg lies below the surface because ice and seawater have comparable mass densities.
Currents act on the submerged part while winds act on the exposed part. Melting and fracture change both its mass and its drag geometry, so drift and survival cannot be predicted from the visible outline alone. An iceberg differs in origin and salt content from sea ice, which forms by freezing seawater.
"Iceberg" can refer to several different concepts depending on the context: 1. **Natural Phenomenon**: An iceberg is a large piece of freshwater ice that has broken off from a glacier or shelf ice and floats in open water. Icebergs are mostly submerged, with about 90% of their mass underwater, making them dangerous for ships. They are commonly found in polar regions, especially in the North Atlantic and Antarctic waters.
New to topics? Read the docs here!