calvings

Calving is a term used in two contexts. In animal husbandry, calving refers to the birth of a calf, the result of parturition in cattle and other ungulates. In glaciology, calving describes the breaking off of a mass of ice at the terminus of a glacier, producing an iceberg. The two uses are unrelated beyond sharing a common linguistic root related to carving off or cutting away.

In cattle and other livestock, calving is a biological and managed event that marks the end of gestation, typically lasting about nine months. Signs include restlessness, udder development, and contractions; assistance may be required for dystocia. Calves are typically born head first, and the newborns require immediate colostrum intake. Farmers monitor metrics such as calving intervals, calving ease, and calf mortality to assess herd performance. Calving seasonality and management practices affect nutrition, housing, and disease control.

Calving in glaciology occurs when pieces of ice detach from the edge of a glacier or ice shelf, forming icebergs. It is a major mode of glacier mass loss and can be influenced by ice thickness, calving front geometry, ocean temperatures, tides, and surface crevassing. Large calving events can rapidly retreat a glacier terminus and contribute to sea-level rise as land-based ice is transferred to the ocean. Calving is studied using field observations, aerial surveys, and remote sensing.