Icicles, sea flowers, ice balls and other winter wonders of nature

Winter reveals to us the most unusual facets of nature, turning water into icy works of art that surprise us with their variety and beauty. From delicate sea flowers to fragile icicles to mysterious ice bubbles, these phenomena are proof of nature’s infinite creativity. Each of these formations conceals physical and biological processes that not only delight, but also provide valuable research material for scientists.

Icicles of ice

Icicles are among the most recognizable ice formations that appear on roofs, tree branches or rocks. They form as a result of cyclic melting and freezing of water at temperatures close to 0°C. The water, flowing down from higher surfaces, freezes and forms elongated structures. Icicles can reach a variety of sizes, from a few centimeters to more than two meters in length, depending on the amount of water available and the duration of the process. These forms are beautiful, but falling can pose a danger to passersby and animals, so in cities their removal is a duty.

Sea flowers

Sea ice flowers (sea ice flowers) are one of the most beautiful phenomena found in polar regions. They are formed on the freshly frozen surface of sea ice, where very low air temperature (below -20°C), high humidity and lack of wind create ideal conditions for their formation. In the process, rising moisture from seawater crystallizes and forms flower-like structures from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in diameter.

They are most often seen in the Arctic and Antarctica, especially in places where sea ice forms over large areas, such as the Weddell Sea. Sea flowers are rich in salt, minerals and microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses that survive in extreme conditions. They are a source of marine aerosols that affect atmospheric composition and cloud formation. However, due to the warming of the climate, this phenomenon is becoming increasingly rare, which increases the importance of research into its impact on global climate processes.

Hairy ice

Hairice(hair ice) is an extremely rare and intriguing phenomenon that can be observed in deciduous forests on dead wood. It forms when the air temperature drops slightly below 0°C and the air is humid. Its unique appearance resembles fine white fibers only a few tens of micrometers thick, which can reach lengths of up to several centimeters.

Trichome ice is formed by the presence of the fungus Exidiopsis effusa, which secretes chemicals that limit the growth of ice crystals. This process allows moisture extracted from the wood to freeze in the form of thin, silky structures. The phenomenon is most common in the moist forests of Europe, such as Germany’s Thuringian Forest, but can also be observed in Poland in regions with abundant dead wood, such as the Bialowieza Forest.

Morschulce

Seagulls, also known as ice balls, are rare formations that appear on beaches during severe cold and windy weather. They are formed when overcooled water mixes with slush and the movement of waves forms round pieces of freezing snow, which are then thrown ashore. Such ice balls have been observed in the Polish Baltic Sea – on the Hel Peninsula, as well as on the Vistula Lagoon, among others.

Pancake ice

Pancakeice is a characteristic phenomenon that occurs in polar waters and regions with cold climates. It is formed when thin layers of ice break under the influence of water movement, and then these fragments rub against each other, forming rounded forms with raised edges, resembling pancakes. Their diameter varies from several centimeters to as much as several meters, depending on hydrological conditions.

They are most common in the Beaufort Sea and the Bering Strait, but can also be seen in the Baltic Sea, in the Gulf of Finland area, during heavy frosts. Pancake ice can be the initial stage in the formation of larger ice sheets and plays a key role in polar ecosystems, providing, for example, habitat for microorganisms and protection against ice erosion.

Ice bubbles

Ice bubbles are one of the most picturesque ice phenomena that can be observed on lakes. They form when gases, such as methane or carbon dioxide, are released from decaying organic matter at the bottom of the lake and rise toward the surface. As the water freezes, these bubbles become trapped in the ice, creating striking layered patterns.

Lake Abraham in Canada is known for the methane bubbles that form a particularly spectacular sight there. A similar phenomenon occurs on Lake Baikal in Russia, where bubbles form on the frozen surface, forming spectacular mosaics. Ice bubbles are not only beautiful, but also important for climate change research, since methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Their observation provides valuable data on emissions from natural bodies of water.

Toros

Toros, also known as ice tsunamis, is a phenomenon involving the piling up of ice floes on the shores of bodies of water under the influence of wind and sea currents. They are most often formed during a thaw, when the solid ice sheet breaks, forming an ice pack that is then moved landward. Toros can reach thicknesses of up to a dozen meters, building impressive ice formations on coasts.

In Poland, this phenomenon can be observed on the Baltic Sea, especially on the Hel Peninsula. In January 2024. In Kuznica, large amounts of broken ice piled up to two meters high, attracting the attention of many residents and tourists.

Toros are not only a spectacular sight, but also a phenomenon that affects local ecosystems and can pose a threat to coastal infrastructure. Their presence is indicative of the dynamic processes taking place in the polar and subpolar environment, and their study provides valuable information on climate change and hydrological conditions in the region.

Beauty and the key role

Winter ice formations are not only spectacular natural wonders, but also extremely important elements of ecosystems and indicators of climate change. Each of the described phenomena shows the diversity of processes taking place in the winter environment.

Observation and analysis of these formations allow scientists to better understand the mechanisms governing freezing, thawing and the influence of temperature on global hydrological and climatic processes. For nature lovers, in turn, the winter wonders are proof of nature’s infinite creativity, inspiring reflection on the need to protect the environment and consciously manage natural resources.