Needle ice

Needle Ice forming in a pile of red clay soil.
Needle ice pushing up soil particles
Packed needle ice

Needle ice is a phenomenon that occurs when the temperature of the soil is above 0 °C (32 °F) and the surface temperature of the air is below 0 °C (32 °F). The subterranean liquid water is brought to the surface via capillary action, where it freezes and contributes to a growing needle-like ice column.

The ice needles are typically a few centimetres long. While growing, they may lift or push away small soil particles. On sloped surfaces, needle ice may be a factor contributing to soil creep.[1][2]

Alternate names for needle ice are "frost pillars" ("Säuleneis" in German), "frost column", "Kammeis" (a German term meaning "comb ice"), "Stängeleis" (another German term referring to the stem-like structures), "shimobashira" (霜柱, a Japanese term meaning frost pillars), or "pipkrake" (from Swedish pipa (tube) and krake (weak, fine), coined in 1907 by Henrik Hesselman).[3]

The similar phenomena of frost flowers and hair ice can occur on living or dead plants, especially on wood.

Ice needles can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Isbell, D.: Needle Ice on Mt. Osceola, EPOD of July 10, 2005. URL last accessed 2007-12-07.
  2. ↑ Pidwirny, M.: Fundamentals of Physical Geography, 2nd ed., section 10(ag), Periglacial Processes and Landforms. URL last accessed 2007-12-07.
  3. ↑ Lawler, D. M.: "Some observations on needle ice", Weather, vol. 44, pp. 406–409; 1989.

Further reading

Media related to Needle ice at Wikimedia Commons


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