An international team of researchers just revealed that they recently spotted a rare and odd phenomenon in Antarctica. Referred to as the “dragon skin ice”, this was last noted in the region back in 2007. The scientists that witnessed it are currently on their way to the Ross Sea. On their way there, they are also taking a closer look at sea ice of Antarctica.
Guy Williams is a researcher at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. He is also part of the Ross Sea international expedition and the one to release the news about this strange phenomenon.
“Dragon-skin ice is very rare, bizarre evidence of a darker chaos in the cryospheric realm, not seen in Antarctica since 2007,” said Williams.
The Rare Dragon Skin Ice, An Explanation
Scaly sheets of ice characterize this rare phenomenon. These are similar to either dragon scales or the microscopic structures on a butterfly’s wing. Dragon skin ice is considered a rare sight. As it is, some point out that it might be a phenomenon characteristic of the Antarctica winter, which is still quite unexplored.
Dragon skin ice is said to be an effect of winds or waves on slushy ice. As either one of them hits the ice, it goes to sculpt into it into this unique fashion. Williams also noted that dragon skin ice might be a variation of the so-called “pancake ice”. This is the name given to sea ice that forms into small disks and then stacks upon one another.
The dragon skin was observed among Antarctica’s coastal polynyas. This is an area of open waters well known for its considerable production of ice which is driven forth and kept active by the force of katabatic winds.
The team of scientists is quite interested in these winds and area. They are studying the impact of the polynyas on both the local and global oceanography.
At the time of the dragon skin ice report, the international team of 27 researchers and its U.S. icebreaker, the Nathan B. Palmer, were stuck. They were stalled by the intense waves and winds in the area. As such, they were waiting for them to calm them to continue their study of the water beneath the ice shelf.
Image Source: Wikimedia
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