Eerie ‘Ice Pillars’ Spotted in Indiana Look Like Sci-Fi Special Effects

Winter Storm Fern has taken us all for a ride...down snowy driveways, on sketchy interstates, and on sleds down various hills. (That last part is my favorite.) It's also given us an opportunity to experience some really cool science.

I recently wrote about the phenomenon known as "frost cracking" during which the sap in a tree freezes, expands, and leads to a big crack in the trunk. It also sounds like a gunshot, while some say it sounds like an explosion. Whatever anyone says, I think it's fascinating.

Ice Pillars

For today, class (and I do feel like I'm in high school science this week), we'll take a look at phenomena witnessed and captured in Indiana. They're called "ice pillars" and they are created when extremely cold air suspends tiny ice crystals in the air long enough to create what resemble searchlight beams. This image is from Marion, Indiana, about 85 miles north of Indianapolis.

I think they look like visual effects in an alien invasion movie, which means I like them even more. This is a more distinct capture from Peru, Indiana. Absolutely amazing.

I found this even brighter display from Colorado in 2022.

You know how a cat can see in the dark because it can utilize even the smallest amount of present light? (Well, if you don't, you do now.) How this phenomenon occurs reminds me of that. Ice crystals grabbing available light and putting on a show.

Hmm, that sounds like any number of people who've gone into the entertainment industry. "Give me a light, and I'll put on a show."