Lake Ontario in Action - Ice Volcanoes
March 6, 2005: While the past week had over 10 inches of snow deposited over most of the region, erosion of the ice front must have continued as we saw the disappearance of all floating white ice and the incursion of lake waters into the areas photographed a week ago. This action shot was taken at Site 1. However, the large Ice Volcano at left is not erupting. The large spray, with incorporated dark sand, is the result of lake waters striking the edge of the cliff of ice behind the Ice Volcano. While there was much more wave activity than a week ago. little volcanic activity was encountered. We observed only two active Ice Volcanoes today. Below is a photo of an active structure (Site 2). Every time it erupted, it made a hissing sound - really neat! Then there was the 'Spitter' (not shown) that sent a spray out sideways to cover the camaraman and his camera (i.e. me).
LEFT: This cone is being built up by lake waters flow- ing down the backside of the structure. The darker color is due to incorporated sand and clay thrown up and over the structure where in runs down covering the volcano with new layers of frozen sediment (ice and sand). If enough water flows shoreward, ponding takes place and the area appears like a shallow lagoon.
   Today, some of the 'lagoonal' area were actually water surrounded by snow and the band of volcanoes along the active edge of the ice shelf.
   Click the photo for an enlargement and other photos taken on March 6, 2005.
Note: Tomorrow is rain and 40 degrees to be followed by a week of deep cold. How will this again modify all of the structures we have observed?
                     Lake Ontario in Action 2
sam
Ice Volcanoes (home page)
Chasing Ice Volcanoes
Samuel J. Ciurca, Jr.
Rochester, New York