Subj : ES Picture of the Day 22  2023
To   : All
From : Dan Richter
Date : Wed Feb 22 2023 11:01:08

 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Spiral Pattern on an Icy Puddle

   February 22, 2023

    Ice spiral

   Photographer:  Mark Hendrickson

   Summary Authors:  Mark Hendrickson;  Jim Foster

   I’ve have seen  concentric ice rings in puddles, but this is the
   first true spiral I’ve observed. This photo was taken about 17 miles
   (27 km) northeast of Payson, Arizona on January 21, 2023. The overnight
   low was 18ºF (-8 C), and at the time of the photo the temperature had
   climbed to 28ºF (-2 C). The surface of the puddle was about 2 ft (.6 m)
   across and was completely frozen. It's very likely that the ice didn't
   reach the bottom of this little puddle.

   A number of factors can lead to odd patterns on  icy surfaces. Note
   the fractures (white lines) in the ice at left, in the only ring not
   part of the spiral formation. The next ring starts the actual spiral.
   So, it seems that there was an initial sheet across the puddle, and
   when the ice became sufficiently thick (perhaps a few mm) only one more
   crack formed. With just a single crack, as the water beneath
   transferred to the ice and shrunk (contracted) toward the center, the
   crack grew and spiraled inward. However, exactly how these spirals
   formed is still a bit of a mystery. Thanks to Steven Arcone and Doug
   Stith for their help with this.


   Payson, Arizona Coordinates: 34.2309, -111.3251


Related EPODs

    Spiral Pattern on an Icy Puddle  Winter’s Black and White — and
   Gray — World  Pearl Necklace or Frozen Spiderweb?  Fernlike Snow
   Crystal  Frost Crack in Linden Tree  Triboluminescence Observed
   on Perito Moreno Glacier
    More...

Cryosphere Links

     *  Guide to Frost
     *  What is the Cryosphere?
     *  Bentley Snow Crystals
     *  Glaciers of the World
     *  Ice, Snow, and Glaciers: The Water Cycle
     *  The National Snow and Ice Data Center Google Earth Images
     *  Snow and Ice Crystals

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
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