This Strange Phenomenon Happening In The Gulf Of Alaska Needs To Be Seen To Be Believed

When you mix the freshwater from glaciers melting with saltwater in the ocean, you don’t exactly get a happy marriage. When these two different consistencies are forced to collide, let’s just say that they don’t exactly welcome each other with open arms. The result is a brilliant display in the middle of nowhere that appears to be that of two completely different bodies of water lying right next to each other, separated by nothing at all. It is a fascinating display of the raw elements of nature and it must be seen to be believed.

Flickr - Vince Smith

The Gulf of Alaska in the Pacific Ocean is essentially the curve of the southern coast of Alaska that stretches west from the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island to the Alexander Archipelago in the east. This area is also where Glacier Bay National Park and the 'Inside Passage' are located (Southeast Alaska).

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Scientists have stated that the Gulf of Alaska was created by millions of years worth of tectonic plates shifting.

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The result of the melting glaciers (fresh water) mixing with the ocean (salt water), has made it difficult for the two ocean bodies of water to mix because of the different densities.

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YouTube - Kent Smith Photo

Large eddies (which are slow moving currents) in the Gulf of Alaska oftentimes carry huge quantities of glacial sediment and heavy clay from a multitude of different rivers throughout Alaska. The Copper River is 286 miles long and dumps into Prince William Sound. It is here that those materials are lifted up and essentially carried out into the gulf.

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Although many will say that these two bodies of water do not ever mix, they eventually do mix. It is when you have really strong gradients coming out against the salt water that it appears as though there are two completely separate oceans that refuse to merge.

Check out the video footage below to view an even more up close and personal look at the strange phenomenon happening in the Gulf of Alaska.

If you thought that was strange, check out this natural phenomenon in Alaska that happens just once a year. It is breathtaking and utterly spectacular!