“Ice circles” or “ice rings” are a natural phenomenon occurring in New Hampshire’s Mirror Lake. This phenomenon creates particularly striking patterns due to the contrast between the white ice and the dark water beneath. An aerial perspective provides a comprehensive view of the circles’ size and distribution across the lake’s surface.

How They Are Formed:

These mesmerizing patterns occur when a layer of ice forms on the lake’s surface, and a combination of factors come into play:

Temperature fluctuations: Changes in temperature cause the ice sheets to expand and contract. Dr. Laura Reynolds, a climatologist, explains, “The delicate balance between freezing and thawing creates stress on the ice sheet, leading to fractures that can develop into these circular formations.”

Water currents: Convection currents in the water beneath the ice create slow, circular movements. As the water swirls below, it can influence the ice above, gently rotating it. This motion helps to carve out the circular shapes over time.

Melting and refreezing: As the ice melts slightly and refreezes, it can be sculpted by the currents, forming those distinctive patterns. “The process of repeated melting and freezing, combined with subtle currents, gives rise to these rare formations that leave both scientists and observers in awe,” says Dr. Michael Carter, a geophysicist specializing in freshwater systems.

Ice circles are relatively rare and require specific conditions to form. Mirror Lake, with its calm waters and changing temperatures, provides an ideal environment for the phenomenon.

The formation of these ice circles continues to intrigue scientists and researchers, who study them to better understand the complex interplay of environmental factors that contribute to their creation.