An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

Sea ice stalactites are hollow, and grow as brine drains away from the surface ice. An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

Meltwater drips from glaciers and freezes upon contact with sea, making frozen waterfalls. An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

Sunlight shines through a crack in the sea ice, illuminating sea urchins and starfish. Sea urchins are common scavengers in shallow waters, where they feed on animals trapped in frozen icefall. The icefall is brown due to microscopic algae, which the urchins scrape off and eat. An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

Icebergs can become grounded in shallow coastal water. Sponges are the dominant animal life in these shallow zones. An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

Icebergs can become grounded in shallow coastal water. Sponges are the dominant animal life in these shallow zones. An underwater photography team worked from the US Antarctic Program's base on Ross Island during late spring. Grounded icebergs, frozen waterfalls and sea-ice stalactites form part of an underwater tableau.

Nature,3rd prize