Author: Jessica Leigh Hester / Source: Atlas Obscura
Until it melts, ice often stays put where it forms. Under certain conditions, though, it goes on an adventure, advancing over land. It might plod or rush over sand, grass, and asphalt, or even seem to leap from the water like sharp, shiny salmon.
That’s what happened in Fort Erie, Canada, last weekend, when hefty chunks of ice climbed partway up lampposts and tree trunks.
This phenomenon, sometimes called an “ice tsunami,” is also known as an “ice shove” or an “ice push.” It happens when there’s a perfect storm of factors, including fierce winds, loose ice, and a gently sloping shore, according to the European Geosciences Union.
That same day that ice roamed the streets of Fort Erie—which sits across from Buffalo, New York, on the shore of the Niagara River—blustery whiteout conditions led to collisions and road closures across portions of Ontario. The striking heaps of ice were reminders that the Great Lakes region sees some ferocious weather, which can sometimes turn lethal. The large freshwater lakes hide several thousand shipwrecks, including many that were lost to storms.
“I don’t think people take the Great Lakes seriously enough sometimes,” says Mark Robinson, a meteorologist with The Weather Network and…
The post What Is an ‘Ice Shove’? appeared first on FeedBox.