Australian bushfire smoke turns New Zealand glaciers brown
CGTN

Smoke from Australia's bushfires has created a haze across New Zealand thousands of kilometers away with normally white glaciers turning a shade of caramel, according to social media posts Thursday.

The acrid-smelling smoke first appeared in the country early Wednesday when in many areas the sun appeared as either a red or golden orb, depending on the thickness of the haze.

Australia's bushfires created a haze.

Australia's bushfires created a haze.

The acrid-smelling smoke.

The acrid-smelling smoke.

According to New Zealand's official forecaster MetService, the smoke can be clearly seen across the Tasman Sea which is 2,000 kilometers away from the fire.

Some people have observed the Franz Josef Glacier turn from pristine white to a brown hue caused by the dust from bushfire.

The Franz Josef Glacier.

The Franz Josef Glacier.

Some experts have worried the dust could accelerate the glacier melting.

Some experts have worried the dust could accelerate the glacier melting.

Some experts have worried the dust could accelerate the glacier melting. As dust covers the surface of the glaciers, it could prevent the glaciers from reflecting sunlight which may eventually lead to the melting of glaciers. 

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Source(s): AFP