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Force of nature: Breathtaking footage captures the moment an enormous glacier collapses sending an avalanche of ice and rock down a mountain

Ryan Taylor was in Mount Cook National Park when rocks began to tumble
After 30 seconds of falling, a massive block of ice dislodges and breaks up
Chunks of rock, snow and ice thunder down mountain and flow like a river

Published: 10:54 EST, 20 November 2015 | Updated: 13:22 EST, 20 November 2015

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This is the breathtaking moment an enormous glacier collapsed just inches from a skier to send thousands of tonnes of rock, snow and ice thundering down a mountain.

Ryan Taylor, 22, who was seconds away from skiing down the slope in Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand, watched as rocks beneath the ice began to break free and fall.

The amateur adventure photographer filmed 30 seconds of tumbling rubble before one large block of ice dislodged, smashing into a thousand pieces and plummeting down the mountain.

Rocks below the ice began to break free and small pieces tumbled down the mountain for around 30 seconds

The video shows more chunks of ice cascading to the bottom as Ryan watches in amazement at the incredible natural spectacle taking place in front of him.

Later in the clip Ryan points the camera at the thousands of tonnes of rock and ice flowing down the steep decline like a raging river.

As he is filming, Ryan can be heard saying: 'I don't know if I want to go down there anymore. It is huge, it is just flying. It is like a liquid.

'The snow line is now lowering so I guess we can ski further down.' Adding: 'It is still flowing down there, crazy. The mountainside is going to collapse.'

A large block of ice dislodges, smashes into a thousand pieces and plummets down the mountain

Ryan captured the footage of the incredible glacier collapse, which is known as a serac fall, from the Whymper Saddle pass in Mount Cook National Park on November 9.

The amateur photographer from Christchurch, New Zealand, said: 'After weaving through crevasses and ice fall we were glad to relax on the high ground of Whymper Saddle.

MOUNT COOK NATIONAL PARK

Mount Cook National Park is a rugged land of ice and rock in the South Island of New Zealand near the town of Twizel.

The park is home to the tallest mountain in the country, Mount Cook, which Sir Edmund Hillary used to develop his climbing skills before he conquered Everest.

Glaciers cover 40 per cent of the park, which has an area of 707 km2.

New Zealand's first ski area was once located on the Ball glacier below Mount Cook until numerous avalanches resulted in the area being covered in rock debris.

'Our map suggested good skiing terrain below us. Looking down into the valley it was obvious our intended ski line was threatened by a few dangers.

'The large mass of loose rock and ice was a big concern along with the rapidly warming temperatures increasing the risk of avalanches.

'While we were talking the amount of rock fall began to steadily increase.

'It looked as if something was going to happen so I started filming. The collapse was quite loud sounding similar to the ocean crashing on a rocky coastline.

'Rock and ice mixed into a massive slurry that gouged its way down the mountain at impressive speed.

'The avalanche slowed down, spread out, adding its mass to the glacier below. It was cool to see up close and was a spectacular natural process.'

More chunks of ice are sent cascading down the mountain as Ryan watches the spectacle in amazement

Ryan, who has worked as a ski patroller and has previously studied avalanches, later noted that glacier collapses like this happen several times a day due to climate change.

He said: 'It is evident climate change is causing glaciers to recede at an unprecedented rate.

'I assume with increasing average temperatures we are seeing more melting and consequently an increasing ratio of rainfall to snowfall in the accumulation areas of glaciers.

'For those who don't care about the glaciers disappearing it has potential to effect economies through loss of tourism and means less water available for irrigation.'