So interesting. Definitely will be on the lookout when our next batch of cold weather invades our state the last part of February and the first part of March, according to my favorite meteorologist, Kirk Mellish, formerly of WSB radio. Great idea to transplant and then have your own "ice garden."
Good to know -- I actually hope we still have some cold weather because last year's early spring caused the peach trees to blossom out and then get hit by a hard frost, and no peaches last summer :-( And, of course, a chance to hunt for ice flowers!
I have seen some of these interesting ice phenomena, but you neatly differentiated among the types, sources and mechanisms. When I lived in New England, stones would appear at the surface through what we called "frost heaving." That may be what was behind Robert Frost's poem, Mending Wall. As for soil creep downhill, I learned the fancy word, "solifluction" for it. Dazzling with brilliance, eh?!
I like that term - solifluction! I also like "slope slip," but that term is reserved for when there's a visible break in the soil, sort of like when a slab breaks loose at the beginning of an avalanche. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Heather this is absolutely fascinating! Kind of like the aurora borealis... right conditions, right time.
Glad you liked it! Now, if I can just catch the Northern Lights at least once in my lifetime, I'll be one happy camper!
That is so cool. Sadly not a delight I'm likely to encounter here (only complaining very slightly because I don't like really cold weather).
I'm ready for spring here, but since we're likely to still get cold temps this winter I'm hopeful for some ice flowers to admire!
So interesting. Definitely will be on the lookout when our next batch of cold weather invades our state the last part of February and the first part of March, according to my favorite meteorologist, Kirk Mellish, formerly of WSB radio. Great idea to transplant and then have your own "ice garden."
Good to know -- I actually hope we still have some cold weather because last year's early spring caused the peach trees to blossom out and then get hit by a hard frost, and no peaches last summer :-( And, of course, a chance to hunt for ice flowers!
I have seen some of these interesting ice phenomena, but you neatly differentiated among the types, sources and mechanisms. When I lived in New England, stones would appear at the surface through what we called "frost heaving." That may be what was behind Robert Frost's poem, Mending Wall. As for soil creep downhill, I learned the fancy word, "solifluction" for it. Dazzling with brilliance, eh?!
I like that term - solifluction! I also like "slope slip," but that term is reserved for when there's a visible break in the soil, sort of like when a slab breaks loose at the beginning of an avalanche. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Just amazing Heather! Those crystals- your article for explaining them- and you for noticing them!
Thanks, Michael!
Those are beautiful, and made even more so by the exquisite way in which they form. Great find!