Ice Disk in the Cedar River in Gladwin, Michigan – Source 9and10news.com
Living “Up North” in Michigan can present some challenges during the winter months. But, it can also often instill a complete sense of awe and wonder. The beauty of freshly fallen snow, the reflective subtleties created by moonlight on the frozen landscape, and the unique artistic formations created by ice and snow, each help one transcend the season. Below, are some of the most fascinating artistic displayed created by nature using ice during the winter months:
Ice Disks (a.k.a. Ice Circles) – personally, these are my favorite natural ice wonders, though I have not seen one to date in person. Their uncommon formation and subtle counter-clockwise rotation are quite mesmerizing. At the beginning of this post is a photo of an ice disk that formed just this past week in Gladwin, Michigan and below is the well-known 300 foot wide monster that developed several weeks ago in Westbrook, Maine.
Ice Disk in the Presumpscot River in Westbrook, Maine (2019) – Source: mainepublic.org
Ice Pancakes – a smaller scale version of Ice Disks, these almost look like scales or frozen lily pads on the water. Sometimes they cover a small area of water as shown below, while at other times they can span a much greater surface area. According to weather.com, ice pancakes range between one (1) and ten (10) feet in diameter.
Ice pancakes – Source: weather.com
Ice Balls/Boulders – most often formed by wave action, these spherical orbs bounce around in frigid waters, sometimes freezing in place and other times melting away with the arrival warmer temperatures.
Ice balls in Lake Michigan – Source: amusingplanet.com
Ice Caves – Ice caves do not form every year, though the further north one travels here in the Great Lakes Region, the more likely they are to occur. Development of ice caves largely depends on temperatures, snowfall, and the extent of ice coverage on the lake’s surface. Visiting ice caves can be a daunting and dangerous endeavor, especially when they are situated offshore. All due caution should be used if one intends to visit an ice cave, regardless of where it is located.
Ice cave on Lake Michigan – Source: michpics.wordpress.com
Icicles – the most commonly recognizable form of ice formation, icicles often harken us back to childhood with their smooth and crystalline appearance. As the weather warms, they will lengthen and grow from the dripping water only to eventually break or fall to the ground. Some caution is also due, as icicles can be harmful if you are below them when they fall.
Icicles from the rooftop (2019)
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