Ice Volcano (Ice Mound Erupting Water Or Slush)

[EnolaGaia]

An ice volcano is a cone-shaped mound of ice on an ice shelf through which wave action pushes water or slush, giving an appearance similar to that of a volcano's lave eruptions. They are best known from the shores of the Great Lakes in North America.

An ice volcano is a conical mound of ice formed over a terrestrial lake via the eruption of water and slush through an ice shelf. The process is wave-driven, with wind providing the energy for the waves to cut through the ice and form the volcanoes. After being ejected into the atmosphere, the liquid water and slush freeze and fall back to the surface, growing the formation. Ice may also be erupted. The phenomenon is most often observed along the southern coast of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, when the temperature is below freezing and the wind blows onshore with a velocity of at least 25 mph (40 km/h). They are known to reduce coastal erosion there. The formations are temporary — they are frequently destroyed by storms and warm weather, and once the lake wholly freezes over, eruptions are no longer possible.

SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_volcano

 

[EnolaGaia]

... And here's a recent example of this relatively rare and odd phenomenon. Pics and video available at the link below ...

Bizarre 'ice volcanoes' erupt on Lake Michigan beach

Ice volcanoes spewed great plumes of water on the shores of Lake Michigan last weekend, and the National Weather Service (NWS) caught the odd phenomenon in action.

During a stroll on Oval Beach on the lake's eastern shore, located in the state of Michigan, an employee of the NWS Grand Rapids snapped a few photos of water bursting from mounds in the frigid ground. "You never know what you'll find at the lake until you go out there," the employee tweeted. "Today it was volcanoes." ...

Despite their nickname, ice volcanoes aren't really volcanoes at all. The cone-like mounds form at the edges of lakes, where thin sheets of ice form, and water shoots through holes in the ice ... Water sloshes beneath the ice sheet and builds up enough pressure to force spurts of water to the surface. If the air above is cold enough, the released water freezes over the surrounding ground, forming a mini volcano of sorts. ...

FULL STORY (With Photos & Video): https://www.livescience.com/ice-volcanoes-on-lake-michigan-beach.html

 

[hunck]

'Ice Volcano' in Almaty region of Kazakhstan

The 45-foot structure was formed from an underground spring that shoots water up through the earth. When it comes into contact with the sub-zero air it immediately freezes and builds up into a cone.

Because it continuously sprays water particles from the top of the cone it resembles smoke spilling out from a volcano.

Video at link.

 

[EnolaGaia]

'Ice Volcano' in Almaty region of Kazakhstan

I'm glad you posted this example of an 'ice volcano' arising from something other than wave action underneath an ice shelf at a shore.

This one seems to represent incremental mound formation from a flowing artesian spring or well. No lake required.

 

[hunck]

I'm glad you posted this example of an 'ice volcano' arising from something other than wave action underneath an ice shelf at a shore.

This one seems to represent incremental mound formation from a flowing artesian spring or well. No lake required.

According to the report it happens regularly but this year is especially large & as a result has attracted many visitors.

 

[EnolaGaia]

This Science Alert article clarifies things. The source that creates this ice volcano is a hot spring.

A 45 Ft 'Ice Volcano' Has Emerged in Kazakhstan. Here's How It Works

Meteorological conditions lined up in Kazakhstan this winter, resulting in a 45-foot (13.7-metre) tall ice tower forming from spring water gushing out of an icy plain. ...

In this case, the ice comes from a hot spring. The water sprays up into the atmosphere, and freezes as it falls back down to the surface. Over time, an the impressive hollow structure is formed. ...

FULL STORY: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-45-ft-ice-volcano-has-just-recently-emerged-in-kazakhstan