Imagine walking on a snowscape and suddenly seeing this huge ice tower structure. What are these and how do they form? Let's see in this post.
Wikipedia, Alasdair Turner, GOLF 4-3-9 Antarctica Expedition 2012, cc BY 4.0
The photo above is taken in Alaska, on Mount Erebus, an active volcano. Active volcanoes also release gases that are coming from deep underground. These gases spew out of the openings on the surface. Some fumaroles spew toxic gases, and some are just warm air and hot steam. Mount Erebus has hundreds of these openings and ice towers in different shapes and sizes.
A hot mixture of gasses and steam blows out and when the ambient temperature outside is always below zero, the steam freezes and over time builds a huge tower over the opening in the ground. The particular tower in the photo above doesn't have steam coming out of it.
Here I have searched for some more photos with steam but the tower isn't as large.
Photo, Pixabay
There can be long ice caves below the openings themselves. When you see one, don't put your hand inside the opening, you will burn yourself hard!
There are not many places in the world you can see a sight like this.
Photo, Pixabay
Here is one photo of my own, taken in Iceland. This is not on a snow or ice field but the logic behind remains the same.
Hope I can see an ice fumarole too one day but I need to travel somewhere very specific to see it.
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