Seeds, frazil and flocs tell the story of ice
Community Steve Arcone Community Steve Arcone

Seeds, frazil and flocs tell the story of ice

During some recent winters, climate change has brought unseasonably warm spells, incomplete ice covers, decreased water levels, and insignificant snowfall, all of which expose ice formations normally unseen. These formations are known as frazil (often referred to as “frazil ice”), and they don’t begin in water; they begin in the air.

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Soil microbes bundle up in winter
Community Maggie Weng Community Maggie Weng

Soil microbes bundle up in winter

Although we may be aware that other creatures are preparing for the cold, building their nutritious stockpiles and cozy dens, few of us think about the ground beneath our feet. Yet here as well, a whole world gets ready for winter.

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Needle ice: Winter’s ribbon candy
Community Rachel Sargent Mirus Community Rachel Sargent Mirus

Needle ice: Winter’s ribbon candy

On an early winter walk with my 3-year-old in a local town forest, we heard our steps crunch on the frozen ground. The dirt of the trail had been pushed up on delicate columns of ice that looked like a pale sugar candy. “Why is it like ribbon candy?” he asked. We were crunching through a forest of needle ice.

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