Rare Ice Phenomenon Cover The Surface of Lake Manitoba in Canada

The rare pattern in the Lake Manitoba, Canada makes it look like a giant icy beach, which stretches as far as the eye can see.

It was spotted by local entrepreneur Peter Hofbauer who owns a canoeing company on the east shore of the lake.

Mr Hofbauer said the ice was around 6 inches thick on the lake.

A small part of the ice does not have the pattern on it, visible next to the spheres and the glimmering orange sky in the distance.

The ice formation is a rare phenomenon that happens when ice crystals or frazil ice form in turbulent waters which are slightly sub zero.


River ice expert and Stantac hydrotechnical specialist Dr Vincent McFarlane said the frazil ice accumulates and rises up to the water surface.

Strong winds and waves in the area over the past weekend likely rolled up the water into slushy orbs which then froze.

The water has to be open for a brief time but also cold enough on the surface to allow these rare slush balls to form.

Slush spheres are delicate and will not last long when they are picked up which is similar to what would happen if you took a weak snowball and put it in water, according to the glaciologist Jeff Kavanaugh.

He said in calm conditions the water molecules can arrange into crystals and they grow like needles.

Sometimes it is seen on puddles in pavements after rain and then when it is chilly afterwards.

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Source: Daily Mail, CBC, Pexels
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