An icy phenomenon: Local man finds rare ‘ice spike’ at home

Published 1:44 pm Friday, December 20, 2019

By Lashana Harney

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Donald Henry poses with an “ice spike” at his home on Camelot Street. Ice spikes are a rare phenomena, and when Henry noticed it Wednesday morning in the pan of water he and his wife leave out for birds, he said he just had to share it with the world. (Photos by Lashana Harney)

Donald Henry woke up to an icy phenomenon Wednesday morning.

Henry discovered an “ice spike” at his home on Camelot Drive. Ice spikes are a rare phenomena.

According to the department of physics from the University of Toronto, ice spikes form because as the ice freezes fast under supercooled conditions, the surface can get covered except for a small hole.

Water expands when it freezes. As freezing continues, the expanding ice under the surface forces the remaining water up through the hole and it freezes around the edge forming a hollow spike.

Eventually, the whole thing freezes and the spike is left.

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About Lashana Harney

Lashana Harney is a reporter for The Winchester Sun. Her beats include schools and education, business and commerce, Winchester Municipal Utilities and other news. To contact her, email lashana.harney@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0015.

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