Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier is 7.5 miles long and is located on New Zealand's south island. It's steeper slope gives it a faster rate of flow, which reaches down to about 1000 feet above sea level. It was named after the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph, by pioneering geologist Julius von Haast.Maori legend tells of "The Tears of the Avalanche Girl": A girl who loved climbing mountains, persuaded her lover to go with her. When he toppled to his death, her tears freezing at such an altitude formed the glacier.Excursions onto the glacier are available, as well as helicopter flightseeing tours.
