Frost Flowers
By Denese. Filed in East TN, Homeschooling, My Home And Family |
Some ice formations we found in the holler last week…
“Ice ribbons”
These form from plant stems and dead wood.
“Needle Ice”
Needle ice emerges from dirt.
“Frost flowers” form when the water in the ground –or plant stem or dead wood- is above freezing and the air temperature is below freezing. The best time to see them is after a heavy, soaking rain followed by a freeze.
If you live in a dry climate, you may not ever see these –but maybe you can create your own…during freezing temperatures, place outside: a pot of wet soil or a piece of dead wood that has been soaked in water.
To learn more about frost flowers:
Ice Ribbons, Ice Flowers, Frost Flowers or whatever they might be called –Web page by Dr. James R. Carter, Professor Emeritus, Geography-Geology Department, Illinois State University
Blessings,
Denese
Tags: frost-flowers, ice, nature, nature-photos, science, weather
Tuesday, December 15th 2009 at 7:31 pm
Amazing! We so enjoy all of these wonderful things you share from your “holler!”
Tuesday, December 15th 2009 at 9:41 pm
Aren’t they! My Daniel is fascinated by them -last year I had a bag of needle ice in my freezer!
Glad you enjoyed the pictures, Sharon.
Wednesday, December 16th 2009 at 4:47 pm
I see the needle ice all the time-in my yard/driveway-but I’ve never in my life seen the ribbon ice. Wow-but I’m going to be on the look out now.
Thursday, December 17th 2009 at 6:57 pm
I thought I’d seen just about everything! These are amazing…never seen them before. Thanks for sharing.