remarkable seaice formations in the canal

one of the most fascinating scenes in the early winter is the variety of ice formations on the canal in the park. early in the winter the temperature swings considerably above and below 0 C so when the water is still and it's cold the surface freezes. but it thaws again, at least partially when either the wind or temperature or both are up.

now the canal is seawater but there is a thin layer of less dense fresh river water that floats on top of the salt water when the wind is low but it all gets mixed when there are more waves. so not only does the temperature vary but also the salinity. and of course salt water requires lower temperatures to freeze. and being seawater, the ice moves with the waves and tides

the result is a remarkably unusual mix of newer and older ice formations in the tiny canal formed by repeated freezes and thaws that are in continual change. the canal is less than 200 meters long and about 20 meters wide but i've never seen anywhere else quite like this anywhere along the coast.

i took all these shots with my S22 phone camera at Fredriksvern Verft in Stavern, Norway on December 3, 2023. please don't not copy or share without my permission