Artist: Sean Neilson

The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that all vessels remain one quarter mile off the face of tidewater glaciers. Even for kayaks, this photo shows why such a recommendation is wise. As ice calves from the 250 foot high face of Johns Hopkins Glacier it lands with a splash, creating turbulent swells that are best avoided until they dampen out a bit. In addition to the swells, rock-hard chunks of ice as small as baseballs or as large as small homes are hurled at you. At these moments, one quarter mile seems just about right!