3 ms·
To me this seems straightforward. The expanding ice forces water to flow slowly out any region it can due to hydraulic pressure (no mystery here). At cold tem
by pontifier 6y ago
To me this seems straightforward.
The expanding ice forces water to flow slowly out any region it can due to hydraulic pressure (no mystery here).
At cold temperatures the water flowing through a crack freezes, taking the shape of the hole it came out(again, no mystery here).
While it's beautiful, I'm not sure how this is news.
- s1artibartfast 6y agoThe author actually suggests different mechanism where not water but solid ice is pushed through the hole by the expansion behind it.
- Talanes 6y agoBecause if purely liquid water seeps out, it will flow away. If it were cold enough to freeze it immediately, it would freeze the opening shut. There needs to be at least a slush to give enough structure to freeze onto, like an icicle.