Ukrainian polar explorers take pictures of rare snow donuts in Antarctica (photo)
Ukrainian polar explorers took photos of rare snow rolls or “donuts” in the Antarctic. This was reported by the National Antarctic Research Center.
Snow rolls are multi-layered bundles of snow ranging in size from a few centimeters to more than 1 meter, usually with a void inside.
This phenomenon is considered quite rare, as specific weather conditions are required to create snow rolls, among other things:
- Two different layers of snow. The lower one is frozen or covered with ice crust, it will be like a substrate. The top one is fresh, plump, and wet. It should cover the lower one, but not stick to it;
- The air temperature is close to the ice melting point, i.e. slightly above 0°C;
- The wind should be strong enough to move the snow clumps, but not to destroy them.
- In addition, a slope is needed to make the snow rolls easier to roll up.
Because the snow rolls contain fresh snow that is lightly dense, it is easily weathered and leaves a hole in the center.
It is noted that snow donuts can be seen not only in the Antarctic.
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speka