jéghegyet

Jéghegyet is the Hungarian word for iceberg. An iceberg is a large piece of freshwater ice that has broken off from a glacier or an ice shelf and is floating freely in open water. The vast majority of an iceberg's mass, typically around 90%, lies submerged beneath the surface of the water, a phenomenon that gives rise to the common idiom "tip of the iceberg" to describe a situation where only a small part of a larger problem is visible.

Icebergs originate from polar regions, primarily Antarctica and the Arctic. They form when glaciers or ice sheets calve, a process where large sections break off due to forces like melting, erosion, and the immense pressure of the ice mass. Once detached, these ice masses are carried by ocean currents, gradually melting and shrinking over time. Their shapes can vary significantly, from tabular icebergs, which are large and flat-topped, to more irregular, dome-shaped, or even pinnacled forms.

The presence of icebergs poses significant navigational hazards for ships. Their submerged portions are often much larger and extend further than visible, making collisions dangerous. Consequently, organizations like the International Ice Patrol are dedicated to monitoring iceberg locations and warning mariners of potential dangers. The melting of icebergs contributes to sea-level rise, though this effect is generally less significant than that caused by the melting of land-based ice sheets and glaciers.